50 Tips for Surviving Your First Ride and Tie

Hey y'all! Today we have a something completely out of the norm and that is a horsey post! Jules and I decided to do a collab all about Ride and Ties, as it's something we both enjoy and would love to inspire other young people to come out and give them a try.

What is a Ride and Tie, you ask? Great question! A Ride and Tie (from here on our known as RAT) is a race that involves two people and one horse. One person rides the horse down the trail while the other runs. The rider gets off, ties the horse, and continues down the trail on foot. Once the first runner catches up with the horse, they untie them, mount up, and race to catch up with the other runner. They can also do something called a "flying tie" where the riders switch without actually tying the horse to anything. They then leapfrog in this manner down the trail until they reach the end.

There's also something called an Equathon, which is more like a relay race. One person and their horse ride for a set distance, then vet in. Once the horse vets in, the runner (who can either be the same person or a different person) goes out and runs the remaining distance. This is better if you have one person only interested in riding and another only interested in running. I have not personally done one, so I can't offer any advice about it.

If you want to learn more, definitely check out the website! There's tons of info, plus a list of all the upcoming races this year.

Anyway, we know it's a somewhat scary concept at first glance, so it's our goal to help squash any misleading ideas that may be standing in your way.

I'll be sharing 50 tried and true tips for surviving your first RAT so you may actually consider going back and she'll be sharing 10 reasons why you should participate in a RAT.

These tips are ones that we've spent many years learning and perfecting. Many are directly inspired by lessons we learned the hard way. They include a lot things that most people forget about, such as the little details for camping, common sense, and basic horse care. Shockingly, these are the things that most people leave behind.

For horses:

1. Always have a muck fork, broom, and bucket on hand. Always. That crap’s gotta get cleaned up somehow and using your hands gets old fast.

2. Invest in good horse electrolytes like your life depends on it. Your horse’s life might very well depend on it. It gets hot on those trails and your horse will dehydrate if you're not paying attention.

3. Corral tape, charger, and stakes. Just because you're introverted and will happily spend your days locked in a 12x12 room, doesn't mean your horse wants to.

4. Foldable water bowls. You know, the ones that they market towards dogs. Don’t trust nature to provide you or your horse with the necessities. Even if it's rained nonstop recently, creek crossings will often be bone dry. That doesn’t stop your horse from getting thirsty. Bring a bowl so that you can intervene when necessary and provide your horse with much needed refreshment. Because, again, using your hands gets old real fast.

5. Try to get a somewhat lightweight saddle so you can justify bringing a saddlebag. You'll need a place to put your electrolytes, vet card, water bowl, sponge, and other things that your horse will need.

6. Walk them around the area when you can. Bringing in your horse a night, then springing a crazy race on them the next morning is not cool. They'll freak out. Let them know that there are other horses around.

7. FLY SPRAY!!!!! Spray before the vet in. Spray before the race. Spray like there's no tomorrow. Ain't no one got time for flies.

For Campsite:

8. Get a 100ft. Extension cord to reach from barn to tent, if necessary. You need your phone. More than that, you need your phone fully charged. Charging it while in the bathhouse just won't cut it.

9. Bring cups, silverware, plates, and food storage containers that will fit into coolers. Ants haunt us everywhere. Your food. Your beds. Your dreams. Everywhere.

10. Toolbox, preferably with a hammer. You never know if the ground will accommodate tent stakes. Becoming a cavewoman for the day is only cool for a minute.

11. A lantern never hurt anyone except maybe the British. No one appreciates having a flashlight in their eyes when a soft lantern could work.

12. If it seems Extra™, bring it. What you lack in racing skills, you’ll make up for by looking awesome. A tent that's far too big for 2-3 small women? Excellent.

13. There are few things more important than being in close proximity to the bathhouse. The call of nature does not go to voicemail.

14. Know the slope of the hill you camp on. Even if it’s a slight grade, you don’t want to wake up in the middle of the night sliding downhill in your sleeping bag.

For People:

15. Sunscreen!!!!! That sun's hot, folks!

16. Hats (or wear your helmet the whole time). 

17. Rain coats. You never know when the heavens will let loose. 

18. Cheap flip flops. They have a million and one uses. Keeping your feet safe from disease in the bath houses is at the top of the list. 

19. Apparently horses come before people at these events and potable water won’t usually be available, so bring loads of it. Better to overpack than to underpack. 

20. The Weather Channel sits on a throne of lies. Bring more layers than you think necessary. 60 degrees is the new 32. 

This race was sooooo cold at the beginning.

21. Towels. You're not staying at a 3-star hotel with linens provided. 

22. Be practical with snacks/food options. Sugar is fun at first glance, but protein/healthy carbs are better to bring. And always, always, always bring something to eat on the trail. You're going to be burning a lot of calories and need to refuel.

23. Shorts might sound like a good idea at first thought, but long pants are 95% of the time a better choice. Staying cool is the least of your concerns. Stirrup leathers rub and pinch. Briers tear skin. Bugs bite. The sun burns. Stay safe: wear long pants.

24. Partnering up with someone of similar height is great for stirrup lengths, though definitely not required.

25. It may seem awkward at first, but running in a helmet isn't all that bad. It'll help keep the sun/rain off your face if you have a visor. And it definitely saves time if you forget to switch it over. 10/10 recommend. 

For the Race:

26. Everyone's start is a nightmare. If you're worried about your horse side-stepping, bucking, or spinning, maybe walk out of the start. There will be plenty of time to catch up after about a half-mile.

27. Do NOT forget to bring electrolytes for yourself and your horse. These are literally the difference between a good race and a bad race. Along these lines, make sure to bring food for yourself to refuel. If either you or your horse starts getting tired/slow, it's probably a good idea to get in some electrolytes/food

28. If there is a sign that says to walk, YOU HAD BETTER WALK!

29. Your brain will say go through the mud puddle. Your brain is a fool. Do NOT go through the mud puddle. 

30. If you think that the hill will go downhill around the bend, think again.

SO. MANY. ROCKS!

31. You’ll think your horse will do one thing. They’ll do the opposite. Plan accordingly. 

32. There are no certainties on the trail. Think of it as an analogy for life. 

33. Always, and I mean always, have a weapon close at hand. Weirdos lurk behind those trees.

34. Along those same lines, if you can stick with your teammate, do so. There is safety in numbers.

35. If you scream because you thought you stepped on a snake and there's no one around to hear it, did it even happen? No. Don't sweat it. 

36. Your horse will often be more interested in going across the water than drinking it. Again, plan accordingly. Find other ways to hydrate your horse if need be. They NEED to stay hydrated more than anything else. 

37. You’re not going to run the whole thing. Just swallow your pride and walk when you need to.

38. When nature calls, know that everyone in this race has used the outdoor facilities at some point or another. If ya gotta go, find a nice cluster of trees and go. 

39. The horse riding bit is the hardest part of the race. I swear it’s the truth. 

40. The transitions from horseback to running are WAY harder than you think. If you get the chance to practice them, take advantage. 

41. When you finish, immediately let your horse eat and get their tack off. Start hosing or sponging them down. The sooner you do this, the sooner you can vet in with flying colors.

42. Quick note on vet checks: don't stress them. Stay calm for your horse. Be patient with them. They have no idea what's going on most of the time. That dude coming at the them with a cold piece of metal is pretty scary.

~Misc.~

43. Don't be afraid to ask questions. There's not a single person at a RAT who isn't thrilled that you're there. They will always be happy to answer questions, give you encouragement, and cheer you on. 

44. Cheer others on. Win or lose, swallow your pride and either congratulate someone on winning or encourage them to keep going if they lose. You will not diminish either way. You will grow.  

45. When going through the campsite with your horse, keep an eye on your surroundings, especially a bigger events. Things happen. Horses might get spooked. Drones might be flying around. People might run from place to place. Keep your wits about you and stay calm. 

46. Dogs roam everywhere. If your horse doesn't do well with dogs, keep it in mind and pay attention. 

This dog was #life

47. Note on horse types: yes, there are breeds that are favored in endurance races and for good reason, but that doesn't mean you can't use whatever horse you have. You simply need to be prepared to work harder with them to get them in shape. What other horses may have naturally, your horse may need to develop over time. Plan accordingly. 

48. Practice tying and leaving your horse beforehand. It reduces the stress of first-timers if they already are familiar with the whole thing. Also, getting on the beginning of the trail ahead of time is great for calming nerves. You and your horse will know what to expect. So if you can ride out a mile and back, do it. 

49. Relax. If you need to just race one day and have a chill day the next, do so. It's awesome to do a Friday race and then sleep in/take it easy the next day. 15/10 recommend. 

50. Have fun. Seriously! Just have a good time. 

I hope that was helpful/encouraging! Now to y'all. Have you heard of RATs? If so, have you ever considered participating in one?