"My friend got a thorn and managed to cut the twine where it intersected with the track and we also removed as much of it as we could from the vegetation.
"He said there was a good chance it would have cut me if I hadn't seen it."
Both were quite certain the twine had been placed in the trees intentionally.
"We did talk about the possibility the twine had come off a vehicle but to be wound around the trees like it was and to cross the track twice seems a little far-fetched."
Both agreed it was not just horse riders who used the track.
"You'll quite often see fishermen or people exercising dogs on quads or motorbikes."
Utility vehicles with people on the back also use the track to access a fishing spot.
"When we're riding on the beach we are always aware of anglers and will always take our horses past them on the land side. They also use sticks and pieces of driftwood to show where the line between the rod and the beach is."
Although upbeat about the incident, the rider is well aware there could have been an entirely different outcome had she not seen the twine or had she not been able to stop her horse.
"I'm a fairly experienced rider having been on horses for the past decade, a novice rider may not have been so lucky."
Whakatane Senior Sergeant Yvonne Parker said police were always interested in hearing about potential hazards.
"If people or property are intentionally put in danger, please come into the station and let us know," she said.