In the early hours of May 30, a Burbank police officer embarked on what officials have described as a “wild ride” as he took control of an escaped horse in the Rancho neighborhood.

The unexpected incident unfolded after officers received a call regarding a horse on the loose in the vicinity of Riverside Drive and Mariposa Street, as confirmed by Burbank police Sergeant Brent Fekety.

According to Fekety, a concerned woman had witnessed the horse galloping frantically down the street, wearing a saddle but lacking a bit or rider.

The circumstances surrounding the horse’s escape or any potential ejection of its rider remain unclear. However, the woman promptly alerted the police, believing that someone might have fallen off and sustained injuries.

Responding swiftly, the police located the horse, affectionately named Oreo due to his black and white coat, calmly grazing on grass in front of a residence. Officer Nicholas Moreno, who possesses a background in horsemanship and proficient riding skills due to his upbringing with horses, approached the animal with composure and mounted it, according to Fekety.

Captured video footage showcased the officer confidently riding the horse back to its owner, who was discovered near the Mariposa Bridge close to Valley Heart Drive, as relayed by the police.

Fekety revealed that during a recreational ride, Oreo had become startled and ran off, causing a temporary separation between the horse and its owner. Fortunately, the story had a happy ending, as the two were joyfully reunited.