OklahomaHorses Magazine July 2022

26 OklahomaHorses • July / August 2022 Exploring with Four-Footed Friends Adventurous Woman Traverses Country with Mules and Dogs by Leigh Ann Matthews T raveling with horses seems to be the new “RVing” for equestrians. Horse trailers equipped with full living quarters (“LQ trailers”) have enabled many people to explore the United States and beyond in the company of their equine partners. Joan Burlingame, originally from Seattle, Washington, retired from her job on May 5, 2021, and left on an incredible adven- ture two days later with her two mules, Buckshot and Tennessee, and her two dogs, Lady and Denver. She had a couple of goals in mind: (1) to ride 20 mountain ranges and (2) to ride in at least 10 national parks. Burlingame’s ultimate goal? She just wants to have a good time with her animals, make new friends, and enjoy the outdoors. Her grown kids had one simple request other than her promise to keep in touch — “Just don’t ride alone.” Buckshot, a 15.3-hand 25-year-old bay john mule was given to Burlingame after she had spent countless hours on him as a “borrowed” mule. Burlingame and Buckshot worked on land conservation, establishing and maintaining trails with the Washington Trails Association. Tennessee is a 14.1-hand 25-year-old gaited sorrel mare mule. Burlingame started her journey in the Pa- cific Northwest, towing a 40-foot-long LQ trailer with a phone loaded with apps to locate camping facilities that can accommo- date her rig. A trip such as this frequently presents several other challenges, including finding quality hay and good layover places. “I have to change feed according to availability but can almost always find the brand of feed and supplements I prefer,” Burlingame said. “I like to offer hay at all times but have found some that my mules wouldn’t eat. I once had to travel almost 100 miles to find Bermuda hay. Some horse camps have hay available, but I can also haul about 11 bales in the trailer and the bed of my truck.” Changing Plans, Changing Mules Soon after Burlingame left home, she changed her plans because of hot tempera- tures and wildfires. She traveled and rode in Idaho and Utah for a couple of months, but the fires were still fairly bad, so she headed south to spend some time in the Tucson, Arizona, area. While she was riding near Apache Junction, Arizona, about 400 cholla cactus needles attached themselves to Buckshot, and he bucked for the first time in 15 years. He threw Burlingame to the ground, and she suffered three fractured vertebrae. She explained, “My mules and I will do things most people wouldn’t do. I just had to be careful while I healed.” Although Burlingame started the trip with Buckshot and Tennessee, she realized Tennessee was never really happy riding trails. A friend in California found another mule in Texas and delivered her to Bur- lingame in Arizona in November 2021. Bonnie, an 11-year-old sorrel mare mule, proved to be a perfect addition. Tennessee is now with a friend in Utah getting plenty of attention and wonderful care. Burlin- game plans to visit her as much as possible while she is traveling. The conditions and length of the trail determine which mule Burlingame rides. Buckshot has some arthritis, and his veterinarian recommends riding him for only two hours a day and only a few days a week. Burlingame added, “I’ve been riding Buckshot for almost 20 years, five years before he became mine. We have developed a comfortable relationship, and I swear we read each other’s minds. I realized that to be fair to Bonnie, I need to put time and miles on her so we can develop the same closeness that Buckshot and I have. Bonnie and I are making good progress toward that goal.” In December 2021, Burlingame and her four-legged friends were in Palm Springs, California, for Christmas with relatives. They also took time to enjoy area eques- trian trails, including one that runs right through the city of Palm Springs. “You can see what man made from the seat of an automobile, but the best way to see what God made is from the back of a horse.” — CHARLES M. RUSSELL (1864–1926)