A Colorado Springs man headed to Utah on horseback was arrested in Boulder Monday for being intoxicated and allegedly abusing the animal.

Patrick Neal Schumacher, 45, was arrested on four charges, including animal cruelty, after he reportedly hit his horse numerous times near Broadway and Baseline Road at about 2 p.m., according to University of Colorado Boulder police.

“Officers observed that the rider was slumped to his right side as he crossed streets and forced pedestrians off the sidewalk,” according to a news release from police spokesman Ryan Huff.

Police found a small black powder pistol and beer cans in Schumacher’s saddle bag, police said. Schumacher was also carrying his dog, a pug named Bufford.

The suspect told police he was riding the horse from Larkspur to Bryce, Utah — a 600-mile journey — to attend his brother’s wedding because he didn’t have a driver’s license.

Schumacher told police he was just trying to hit a fly on the horse’s head.

In addition to animal cruelty, Schumacher was arrested for prohibited use of weapons, riding a horse while under the influence of alcohol and reckless endangerment, police said.

Authorities seized the animals for safe keeping.

Ryan Parker: 303-954-2409, rparker@denverpost.com or twitter.com/ryanparkerdp