First Taste of Fall

Fall was in the wind today, it was crisp, cut through the heat of the sun and brought nostalgic thoughts of pumpkins round and cold, leaves with colors burning under a layer of crystal frost. It ruffled Twilight's thickening coat, stirring the rich dark color.

I could smell everything, as I cantered Twilight in the arena the wind brought me the tang of sweet water from the hose Mike was using to fill up his horses' water troughs. I could smell the warm ferment hay scent of manure, Twilight's body warm and salty with sweat.
The fall wind swept through the air making everything clear, I felt like I could see forever, dust devils swirling by the rock quarry, the sage brush with its deep yellow tips like torches spread for miles in every direction, the slender stems of sunflowers bowing and swaying in crowds along the winking barbwire fence.

Twilight was excited by the wind, she fought my hand and the bit, but moved fluidly, she kept her head and ears perked, tail arched, she could smell the change, feel it in her body.

I gave her the last bath of the season, and her coat gleamed, and reflected red and orange. I braided her hair, in celebration, to welcome fall, to welcome the change.