For those of us that love the outdoors – I mean really love the outdoors not a chaise lounge by the pool – the end of summer means the beginning of freedom. For those of us that share our outdoor experiences with a horse it is the beginning of bliss.

No more sweat dripping into one’s eyes. No more bees buzzing in your hair. No more flies annoying the begeezers out of your horse. No more scorching sun burning your skin and retinas and no more horses so lethargic that even the youngest scuffs along like that old gray mare of legend and song.

Cool days, crisp nights and colorful foliage mingle to create an overflowing sensory bonanza. Apples are ripe, pumpkins don their frosty caps and the wildlife gets busy preparing for the winter to come.

Summertime holds no favor. Too much green – a never-ending sea of green – blots out all but the brightest show offs – summer flowers are ostentations for a reason. Horses love the green but the cost is high – bugs, sweltering temperatures and grumpy guardians. Crops grow too big for any to observe the wildlife – fox scamper, deer munch, turkeys trot – all without witness. Longing to spy any signs of life I wait anxiously for harvest.

Horses too look toward harvest – no more pop goes the doe as the corn-lined lanes dwindle into the maw of the gnashing combines. Most of last year’s hay is gone and with winter approaching the good stuff gets doled out more often – the fatted horse does fare better when temperatures turn blustery. Oh and the apples – so many apples – so few hands – really must train the humans better. Yes it is sad to see the pastures turn from grass to dust but those tasty, tasty apples do make up for that loss.

The spray bottles full of noxious smelling preparations are put away and are replaced with nicely laundered horse sheets – the horses can be heard whispering as the varied styles and colors are neatly hung upon their individual stall racks. They wait until the humans walk away and plot and scheme about the best way to get them as dirty as possible.

Each brisk morning the groups of horses are turned out and gather for a celebratory run. The vapor of their breath mingles with the heavy dew in the air – dark four-legged shapes thunder away and back again gleefully kicking up heels in joy. Often followed by a roll in the cool grass it is clear that they too appreciate the lack of sweat and stale air. Too soon for their human observer they settle into grazing – their contented sighs music.

Chores quickly completed, saddles and bridles collected and horses retrieved, groomed and tacked – the ride is heaven on earth. Lively mounts and ever-changing scenery bring many equestrian fantasies to life. Long casual walks down lanes of changing hues – the canopy of leaves gently blowing on a chilly north breeze – human and beast swaying together as one. Easy and quickening canters up many a grassy knoll – perhaps a hop over a ditch and a jump over a fallen log.

The time goes by too fast on days such as these – for those of us that really love the outdoors. We cherish our time with horses and friends. When the ride is over and the horses are back in pasture and friends are driving home we are content, grateful and give thanks to the universe - yet we can’t help but be eager (and yes even greedy)for another such day.

Happy trails.