Don't you just love the Fall season? All the beautiful colored leaves are just the tip of the iceburg for equestrians, the icing on the cake! Here's a list of the top 10 reasons I love Fall:

1. Fewer Bugs and Insects!
Cooler temperatures mean there are less of all those pesky flies, ants, and other annoying flying insects buzzing around! Which also brings costs down because you don't have to spend more money on Fly Spray and other repellents!

2. It's not as hot!
Fall also means cooler temperatures. Cooler weather means less getting hot, sweaty, and sticky! There's nothing like going for a ride and not even breaking a sweat!

3. Fresher horses!
Well this one might not be so good for everyone, BUT for those of us with more of a kick-ride than a whoa-ride, cooler Fall weather means riding our horses gets a little bit easier when the usually lazy horse feels a little more pep in their step!

4. Fun Decor!
Fall brings pumpkins and corn stalks and colorful mum flowers! Scarecrows and broom sticks! ALL great stuff to decorate would-be jumps instead of the usual flowers you see the rest of the year. 

5. A Full hay loft
What's not fun about having a FULL load of hay in the barn?!? It's a good feeling, indeed! This time of year barn owners make sure to have a full stock of hay to get through the winter. As a horse loving kid, all the stacks of hay makes a great place to hide out and read a book or just to sit and listen to the sounds of the barn.

6. Falling leaves.
I find the sound of falling, rustling leaves somewhat relaxing. While out at the barn, it's nice to hear while doing chores or enjoying a hack.

7. I can ride earlier in the day!
Since the Summer is usually brutally hot in the middle of the day, I tend to try to ride in the evenings when things start to cool off. In the Fall I really enjoy being able to get on my horse earlier in the day so my evenings are freed up more than in the Summer and I can actually eat dinner at a normal time! 

8. I can wear scarves and sweaters again.
I just love scarves. I wear them all the time. The warmer weather makes them a bit hot, wrapped around my neck, sadly, and I don't enjoy them so much when it's warm out. Fall means the weather is finally cooperating with my wardrobe preferences again! (I know.... this one isn't really horse related.... BUT make it one of the equestrian scarves from The Painting Pony and it is!)

9. My horse can be stylin at the barn again.
Cooler weather and a horse who doesn't grow a winter coat at all means he get to wear blankets and sheets. He's got a super pretty plaid one that I think he looks just spiffy in and I love putting it on him again every year in the Fall. 

10. Did I mention fewer BUGS?!? Well I am saying it again.... the bugs are gone!!! 

Here's hoping everyone has a wonderful Fall this year! Here's to cooler weather and enjoyable rides!

- Jessica