Here's something you don't see every day.

A carriage horse named Bernie was being bathed early Sunday morning at a Midtown stable when his halter snapped. It's not known if the break spooked the horse or if he just sensed an opportunity and took it. But Bernie escaped and went on a joyride through the streets of Hell's Kitchen in New York City. Sadly, it was too early to take in a show, but at least he had some fun taking in the sights.

A mystified pedestrian caught the whole thing on video while driving through the New York neighborhood around 8:30 AM. Bernie crossed right in front of her car, as you can see in the video below. Perhaps more remarkable than the sight of the horse running wild are the two police cars following right behind it, like a presidential escort.

Bernie took a zig-zag pattern, running along West 37th Street, turned up 10th Avenue to 39th, and wound up on 11th. Reportedly, the two police cars were following Bernie to try and find a way to box him, which they finally managed at an empty lot on 11th Avenue. If allowed to run free for too long, it would've been just a matter of time before he caused or was the victim of a traffic accident. The New York Post reports that the authorities did finally stop Bernie and returned the horse safely to the stable he calls home.

Bernie's owner, Declan Quinn, told NYP that this had never happened before. Regardless, Bernie escaped his adventure without harm, and returned to work on Monday. Which hopefully he enjoys.

Photo: Rhys A.