Anyone familiar with Dakota saddles?

Question

I'm shopping for a quality saddle....one that will last me a long time. I am of the understanding that Circle Y, Billy Cook, and Dakota saddles are very good quality, with Dakotas being less expensive. Does anyone have any experience or knowledge about these saddles? I appreciate any advice. :)

Answer 1

I've had a Dakota saddle for a couple of years now, I can't give any opinions on their longevity, but mine is very comfortable and keeps me in good position.  My friend recommended the brand to me, hers is considerably older and still in great shape.  I also found that it seems to easily fit quite a lot of horses.

I was able to customize it to some extent, and the price was much more in my range than others I looked at.  I also had a Circle Y previously, and that was another saddle that I liked.  I think the Dakota is better quality, but the Circle Y that I had cost less, of course.  Not that it is poor quality, I still loved that saddle.  When my horse outgrew it, I found the Dakota.

I have a Billy Cook that I won that I don't use, primarily because it does not fit my horse well.  I have ridden in some others, they are not my favorite, which is just as well because they are also quite pricey.  I have heard more people say that they dislike Billy Cooks than do like them, but those that do like them are die hards.  It's personal preference, try them and see what works.  That will be a better reference than our opinions :)

Answer 2

I'm out here in California and don't believe I've ever heard of "Dakota".  Is Dakota a factory made saddle or custom?

Circle Y, Billy Cook, Crates, Tex Tan just to name a few.  

Of course my favorite, is Broken Horn, who does custom saddles...HeHeHe

Okay, just went to ebay and took a look at them and YES, they really look like a nicely made saddle, but having never seen one in person, I'll leave it at that.  I do like the rigging on their rope saddles!  I'd wonder though about using a rope saddle for the purpose it's supposed to be designed for with a fiberglass covered tree.

Also not sure if the sheepskin is the real item or fake.

http://sporting-goods.search.ebay.com/Da...

That's the link to the saddles I found on ebay and took a look at.

Answer 3

They  are a good riding saddle. My sister has had hers for years & it has held up great!! I do not care for the Billy Cook they are a awful ride, at least I think so. I have ridden in a good handful of them. I like the Tex Tan saddles, they are the most confortable saddle I have ridden in!!!!!

Answer 4

I have owned a Dakota saddle for about 16 years now and it still has plenty of miles left in it.  It has remained comfortable through all the many miles I've put on it.  The only thing that I need to have repaired is the rawhide on the saddle horn has come apart.  I think they make them better now but on my saddle the rawhide was not sealed with resin and it got wet once when I got caught in a rain storm.  

I ordered mine custom and got exactly what I ordered in less than 4 weeks so I don't think they are a heavy "production" company as stated above unless the company has grown a lot since I purchased mine.

I would recommend this saddle to anyone.

Answer 5

Dakota saddles are very good for the money.  In fact I have been quite impressed with the ones I have seen and the owners seem to love them.

I feel the only reason the Dakotas are less expensive is because they are production saddles.  Since they are produced in higher numbers they can be sold cheaper and Dakota Saddlery makes up for less profit per saddle on the number they produce.