The police booked the man for torturing the animal.
According to police, the 42-year-old man rode his horse through the Killippalam-Karamana road here on Sunday night after consuming liquor.
The 'royal ride' turned a "public nuisance" when the horse halted abruptly when it reached a junction with the rider, creating traffic problem and drawing the police attention.
Even after the police intervened, the horse declined to make its move and personnel of Mounted Police were called in to tackle the situation.
Police said the man had been charged under sections 289 and 429 of Indian Penal Code and provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty Against Animal Act.
The owner of the horse used to rent out it for film shootings. The animal appeared to be in an exhausted condition as it was flogged by its owner,police said.
Kumar was released on personal bail after registering the case against him, sources said.