This story is sponsored by DudeRanch.com

Helpful Hipster hints on surviving your first dude ranch trip.

• Invest in your own pair of boots before you go, even if you’ve never ridden before and may not plan on riding again. Most of the ranches will loan out boots, but usually they don’t fit properly and I got that “not-so-fresh” bowling shoe feeling when I wore them. Boots canrange in price from $40 to hundreds of dollars.
• Bring oversized, comfortable, worn-in jeans for riding. Mounting and dismounting a horse requires flexibility, so leave the matchstick jeans at home.
• Dude ranches are used to hosting first-time riders. You will not be singled out or ridiculed, nor will you be their first. If anything, dude ranches are the most ideal place to learn because you are immersed in riding instruction and hands-on experience from skilled wranglers. I actually received more attention and guidance because I was a new rider.
• Pack more cotton socks (tall enough to reach mid-shin level) and light-colored shirts that wick sweat than you think you’ll need. Some ranches have laundry facilities but most don’t, and by the end of a long day of riding, the last thing you want to do is laundry.
• Load pocket-sized snacks like PowerBars or granola bars in your suitcase for in-between meals. The ranches will feed you well for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but I found myself hungry later at night and during longer rides.
• If you’re visiting a ranch at altitude (mine was at 9,000 feet), it will take a day or two to acclimate. Expect to feel dizzy and winded, even after walking up stairs. Drink more water than you can possibly stand and take Advil even if you don’t think you need it. Some people took Bonine, an anti-nausea travel tablet that doesn’t make you as drowsy as Benadryl.
• About to fall off your horse? As much as possible, roll with the fall. Easier said than done, but I witnessed a guy get thrown from his horse and as he was falling, he kept his body limp instead of locked. He dusted himself off and got back on.
• Invest in a durable, packable rain jacket with hood (Patagonia, The North Face).
• Ladies, leave the open-toed sandals at home. When you’re not wearing your boots, you’ll be walking around in dirt, dust and mud. Wear something with a tread: sneakers, or toe-covered sandals like Keen or Tevas.
• If you’re riding nose-to-tail on a trail, you will see an up-close-and-personal view of a horse’s ass and what comes out of it. Consider yourself warned.
• If you prefer caviar, pool-side drinks with mini umbrellas, and don’t want your manicure ruined, skip the dude ranch experience. You get dirty and sore and there’s no such thing as room service.
• Bring a bathing suit. Most ranches have pools and hot tubs.

Tags: dude ranch, horse riding, Travel Gear, travel tips