Meet Kaylee Rankin and Rita
Lebanon, Tennessee | Barrel Racing
Some riders grow up around horses forever. Others find their way into it and lock in with their whole heart. Kaylee Rankin is one of those riders.
She has been riding and caring for horses for three years, and in that time she has built a real partnership with her 9 year old bay Quarter Horse mare, Rita. They barrel race. They put in the work at home. They haul to shows. And like a lot of strong horse and rider teams, their story is built on consistency more than flash.
“It has been a long journey with me and my mare, but it’s all worth it. Every time she steps in any arena she puts all her heart into our run.”
A Barrel Racer Building Her Own Routine
Kaylee rides out of her own barn in Lebanon, Tennessee. That matters because when you care for a horse at home, the routine belongs to you. You notice the small changes. You learn what helps. You figure out what keeps your horse comfortable through normal work weeks and big weekends.
For Kaylee, that means conditioning during the week, usually four to five rides, then giving Rita time to recover before the next push. If a three day show is coming, she adjusts the schedule and works Monday through Wednesday, then gives Thursday off. It is a practical system. Nothing fancy. Just the kind of structure that keeps a horse ready to keep showing up.
Why Kaylee Reaches for Draw It Out® Liniment Gel
The product Kaylee keeps in her routine is Draw It Out® Liniment Gel. What stood out in her response was not polished language. It was that she uses it because she has seen the difference on her own mare.
She told us it helps keep Rita comfortable during three day shows and helps her keep running hard each day. She also shared that she has seen areas of inflammation on her mare improve by the next day, which is exactly why she recommends it to friends and fellow riders. For Kaylee, this is not shelf decoration. It is part of how she manages the workload of a performance horse.
“They help keep my mare comfortable at 3 day shows and make her run harder each day.”
The Kind of Horse That Teaches You Something
Rita sounds like the kind of mare who gives a rider confidence early and earns loyalty over time. One of Kaylee’s favorite memories says a lot about that bond. She wanted to lope Rita one day, even though no one had really taught her how to ask. So she asked anyway. Rita slow loped around the arena and never tried to rush off or take advantage of the moment.
That is the kind of story horse people understand immediately. Sometimes a horse meets you exactly where you are. Sometimes they carry more than your body. They carry your learning curve too.
Seasonal Care That Stays Consistent
Kaylee’s horse care routine changes with the seasons, but the core stays the same. In winter, she pays close attention to muscle tension and comfort. Year round, she keeps Draw It Out® in the picture. That kind of consistency is what we respect most around here. Not chasing every trend. Not swapping routines every five minutes. Just finding what fits your horse and sticking with it.
She also mentioned being interested in trying Breathe To Run and exploring more of the lineup over time. That is usually how it starts. One product earns trust, then the rest of the routine opens up from there.
Kaylee’s Go-To Approach
- Condition during the week, usually four to five times
- Give the weekend off or go compete
- If a three day show is coming, work Monday through Wednesday and rest Thursday
- Keep Draw It Out® Liniment Gel in the routine year round
Real Riding, Real Heart
Kaylee first heard about Draw It Out® through a friend, which feels right. The best horse products still move barn to barn by actual recommendation. Not because somebody made a perfect ad. Because somebody used it, saw the difference, and told another rider.
That is the kind of trust we never take lightly.
We also loved hearing that one of Kaylee’s favorite places to ride is open ride at the Wilson County Fairgrounds in Lebanon, Tennessee. It fits the whole story. A rider, her mare, a home barn, a local place to work, and a routine that keeps moving forward.
Why Kaylee Fits the Real Rider Community
Kaylee is exactly the kind of rider this community was built to highlight. She is not performing horse life for the internet. She is living it. She is building her program, learning her mare, showing up to compete, and doing the work it takes to keep a horse comfortable through the everyday miles and the big weekends.
That is what a Real Rider looks like.
“Every time she steps in any arena she puts all her heart into our run.”
Follow Kaylee’s Journey
Facebook: Kaylee Rankin
TikTok: kaylee_rankin
Instagram: kayleerankin_09
Where to go next
If this story feels familiar, these are the best next steps for riders building a steady care routine.
Want to be featured in a future Real Rider spotlight? Keep sharing your story, your horses, and the routines that help them feel their best.
