Horseback riding accident prompts Eagle Mountain equestrian to speak out

EAGLE MOUNTAIN, Utah (ABC4) — Eagle Mountain has more than 85 miles of trails for horseback riding, as the city has been known for its thriving equine community for years. But with rapid growth in the area, Cedar Haven Ranch equestrian Aleia Price is hoping to raise awareness about roadway etiquette, following a recent incident in February, involving two of her friends who were riding their horses in the Cedar Pass Ranch neighborhood. "A couple friends of mine were out riding through the neighborhood on one of the roads going from trail to trail, when there was an e-biker with a big flag attached to the bike, that spooked their horses, their horses took off, both riders fell and both horses and riders sustained some injuries," Price said. The riders, who did not want to be identified, sustained road rash injuries and one of them experienced a mild concussion, according to Price. The horses were also injured after sliding along the roadway and were taken to an emergency vet. "It's concerning because of lack of awareness from people outside of the horse community," Price said. "Passing slow or wide around any horse, around any rider on a trail or a roadway is going to keep them safest," Price said. ABC4 reached out to Eagle Mountain City about the incident and while they didn't comment directly about the accident, they said they are monitoring H.B. 381, which proposes stricter regulations for electric assisted bicycles in Utah. "Following their decision, the city will move forward in adopting that if it passes or implementing code of our own," Eagle Mountain spokesman Kyle Ireland said.