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Horses, riders in Sultan spooked by marauding dirt bike riders

SULTAN, Wash. — Horse riders in Sultan say their peaceful rides are being shattered by dirt bike riders on the trails, and one person was hurt when her horse was spooked and bolted.

The incidents have occurred on the privately owned Mann Road Trails.

The trails are open to the public for non-motorized use by horse riders, bicyclists and hikers.  A sign at the trailhead clearly states the rules and says no motor vehicles, including cars, ATVs and motorcycles are allowed.

The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a confrontation that occurred on noon Sunday.

KIRO 7's Amy Clancy is in Sultan speaking to horse riders and will have more on this story at 5.

In that incident, two women were riding horses when two dirt bikes approached from behind.

The women say one of the riders was confrontational and spooked one of the horses by revving his engine and spurting gravel with his tires.

Spooked, one of the horses took off downhill, chased by a dirt bike, according to the victims.

The rider whose horse bolted was found bleeding, lying in the gravel road, injured with a concussion. She said the bikers’ tracks indicated they swerved around the wounded woman and kept on going.

Her friend called 911 and medics transported the injured woman to the hospital.

The hurt woman’s horse had left the area but was later found.

Police are looking for the dirt bike riders.