In a scene that could only happen in the Cowboy State, a Powell, Wyoming resident has been officially banned from his local McDonald’s after attempting to order a cheeseburger while piloting a horse-drawn wagon through the drive-thru. Allen Hatch, a local horse trainer, found himself on the wrong side of corporate policy earlier this week when he steered his two draft horses, Coal and Onyx, into the fast-food lane, sparking a viral moment that has left the community buzzing about this weird Wyoming news.
The 'Spur of the Moment' Decision That Backfired
For Allen Hatch, the day started as a routine training run for his two new draft horses. He told reporters that the animals "needed some miles," so he hitched them to his wagon for a trip into town to pick up supplies at Ace Hardware and Murdoch’s. It was only when hunger struck that the situation took a turn toward the unconventional.
In what he described as a "spur of the moment" decision, Hatch navigated the team of powerful horses into the narrow McDonald’s drive-thru lane. While he successfully maneuvered the wagon up to the speaker, the reception he received was mixed. According to Hatch, the employees at the first window were delighted by the sight of the massive draft horses, with one staff member reportedly expressing excitement at the unexpected visitors. However, the mood shifted drastically when management got involved.
Safety, Liability, and the 'Mess' Factor
The joyride came to an abrupt halt when the branch manager intervened. Unlike the frontline staff, management was not amused by the equine interruption. Hatch was informed in no uncertain terms that he was violating strict company policies regarding drive-thru vehicles.
The primary reasons cited for the ban were liability and safety concerns, which are standard for major fast-food chains. However, the conversation reportedly took a more practical turn when the manager voiced a specific hygienic worry. Hatch recounted that the manager was very clear about her concern regarding what would happen if the animals were to "do their business" in the drive-thru lane with no one available to clean it up. The confrontation ended with Hatch being "86ed"—restaurant slang for being banned from the premises.
McDonald's Official Drive-Thru Policy
While the incident in Powell is unique for its wagon element, McDonald’s corporate policy has long prohibited non-motorized vehicles in drive-thru lanes. The chain's safety guidelines explicitly state that drive-thru lanes are custom-built for motor cars, vans, trucks, and road-worthy mobility scooters. Pedestrians, cyclists, and yes, horse riders, are generally turned away due to the risk of accidents in the tight, blind corners of the lanes where heavy vehicles are constantly moving.
A History of Weird Wyoming News in the Drive-Thru
This isn't the first time Wyoming residents have tested the limits of "fast food" transportation. The state has a colorful history of drive-thru antics that reflect its western heritage. In 2017, two bored teenagers in Powell made headlines when they rode their horses through the same McDonald’s drive-thru with a pet goat in tow. Unlike Hatch, they managed to order without getting a lifetime ban, though the goat did not receive a salad as requested.
Similarly, in 2019, a rancher in Cody was filmed ordering an ice cream cone from horseback, a video that also went viral. These incidents highlight a cultural clash between rural Wyoming lifestyle and corporate safety protocols. While locals often view horses as legitimate transportation, national chains are bound by rigid insurance and safety mandates that don't account for four-legged traffic.
The Aftermath for Hatch and His Horses
Despite the ban, Hatch appears to be taking the incident in stride. He admitted that while the manager "couldn't get off her high horse" about the policy, he understood the message loud and clear. He has no intention of returning to that specific McDonald’s location, jokingly noting that he won't be "blessing them with his presence again."
Coal and Onyx, the draft horses at the center of the controversy, remain in training. Hatch plans to continue using them for wagon rides for family and friends, but future snack stops will likely be restricted to establishments with more horse-friendly parking situations. For now, the residents of Powell have a new piece of local lore to chuckle about, proving once again that in Wyoming, the line between the Old West and modern convenience is often just a drive-thru window away.
