There are several western saddle makers to choose between when you are deciding on getting a new western saddle. The saddles can run as low as a couple of hundred to above 2 thousand greenbacks. These saddles are not even custom-made. Custom made saddles can easily run you 5,000 and even more.

There are many different brands to choose between. The styles can alter just as much. Having the ability to buy the right saddle for you takes a bit of educating yourself on the different brands, style and feel of the different western saddles that are open to you. You may be restricted by the price range as to what you can get.

When deciding on a new horse, a key factor is its health. Although one cannot be 100% certain that a horse is absolutely healthy, there are some basic checks.

One begins with the general external appearance. The coat should be even, shinny and lie flat. The body should be well filled out, with well toned muscle. It should not be overweight or underweight. It should stand evenly on all four legs, with all four hooves pointing straight ahead. It is normal to rest a hind leg (but not a front leg), provided that it is not always the same leg which is rested.

Some people are allergic to horses. Depending on the person, this can result in a combination of the following symptoms: - Watery or itchy eyes - Runny or itchy nose - Hives, rashes or itchy skin - Coughing or sneezing - Breathing difficulties - Asthma

The severity of these symptoms can range from a minor runny nose to a serious asthma attack. In the case of asthma sufferers, care should be taken when first coming into contact with horses, as there have been a few cases of fatal asthma attacks. This is doubly true for asthmatic children, who in the excitement of being with horses may not notice the early symptoms, so they should be monitored by an adult when first encountering horses to ensure that they do not have a serious adverse reaction.

Colic is the most commonly occuring serious horse illness, affecting at least 1 in 10 horses each year. It is the single biggest cause of premature horse death and also the most frequent source of major veterinary bills. In addition, it can cause other serious illnesses, such as laminitis or founder.

There are many different types of colic and many different causes. Fortunately, the main causes have been identified by research, including studies which have covered thousands of colic cases. Following is a list of actions to avoid the main causes of colic and thereby greatly reduce the risk of your horse getting colic.