Whats your thoughts about Dakota saddles?

cowgirlek7 · 03-29-2008, 07:33 PM

http://www.culturedcowboy.com/saddle...pages/d600.htm

Whats your thoughts about this saddle? Have you ever heard of them? Do you think it is worth it to buy one? Do they hold up?

farm cowgirl · 03-30-2008, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowgirlek7

http://www.culturedcowboy.com/saddle...pages/d600.htm

Whats your thoughts about this saddle? Have you ever heard of them? Do you think it is worth it to buy one? Do they hold up?

I've never had one but I have ridden in somebody elses. Dakotas are a medium quality saddle. The silver is pretty much just shiny tin. For the price i'd rather find a used higher quality saddle.

BluEyedCowgurl · 03-30-2008, 08:14 AM

I personally own two dakota saddles and I really like them. I oil them regularly and I've never had a problem with the silver- I use a silver rag on the conchos and they polish right up. I'd had one of my saddles for fifteen years and it has had a LOT of riding time in it and looks awesome (this inclues rain, river crossings where we had to swim, etc). When I go trail riding with groups everyone always asks me who the maker of my saddle is, and everyone who has ever borrowed my saddle is impressed with how comfortable it is. The other one I have had for six years and it still looks new. I can't imagine they cut back on the quality that much? I could be wrong though.
I think that it is just a matter of personal preference. I have never had the luxury of being able to buy a "quality" saddle, (I am aware that Dakota is considered middle of the road), but since I have yet to have a problem with the dakota's and so far the quality has been outstanding for me, I would probably buy another one.

Hope this helps.

cowgirlek7 · 03-30-2008, 11:31 AM

thanks blueyedcowgurl. It says on the website the silver is Montana Silver, so I am hoping for decent silver then.
I e-mailed them to get a quote on the saddle with the modifications I wanted. When I can get top of the line dressage saddle for less then 2500 from passier I have a real hard time spending anymore then that on a western saddle. The thing for me, is most of the time I am in my dressage saddle and just show in my western.

luttrellfarms · 03-30-2008, 04:41 PM

I agree that they are "middle of the road" saddles but fairly good ones. I own a tack shop and although I am not a "dealer" in them, I have had some in the past and my daughter rides one now. I see that you understand that they are not top of the line so I think you will be pleased with it.

plainjanemw · 03-30-2008, 05:21 PM

Not everyone needs a 'high quality' saddle, so if it looks like something you will be pleased with go for it!

buck1173 · 03-31-2008, 04:40 AM

I've had my dakota for around 9 years and I love it love it love it... its not luxurious but it works, holds up beautifully, and cleans up beautifully... I've never had a problem polishing up the montana silver to a gleam even after all this time... I've ridden in all kinds of weather and have gone swimming in that saddle.... Its comfortable, I can ride it all day, and its been a reasonably good fit on every horse I've ever owned.

but do shop that price, it seems very high, even for a top of the line Dakota.... I paid $700 for my semi-custom and even thats high for a Dakota.

For the money, I can't say enough great things about it.

hmfields3 · 03-31-2008, 07:35 AM

I have had my Dakota for the past 3 years and I love it... It cleans up very nice and has held up for me and i am rough on them.. I think you will be pleased with the Dakota saddle.

morablogan · 03-31-2008, 10:29 AM

I own quite a few dakota saddles and I own a couple custom made saddles. I love the dakota saddles thats for sure. Here is a link:

http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/whatinnamofs.html

BluEyedCowgurl · 03-31-2008, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morablogan

I own quite a few dakota saddles and I own a couple custom made saddles. I love the dakota saddles thats for sure. Here is a link:

http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/whatinnamofs.html

Ah, good link! I've looked at that before. I guess you have to own a Dakota just once to love it.

03-29-2008, 07:33 PM	#1
cowgirlek7 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Maine Posts: 692 Images: 76	Whats your thoughts about Dakota saddles? http://www.culturedcowboy.com/saddle...pages/d600.htm Whats your thoughts about this saddle? Have you ever heard of them? Do you think it is worth it to buy one? Do they hold up? __________________ Erin Sierras Coco Cola ( Coco or Coke)- Appaloosa 15.3 hand 2000 mare Erin's Special Skittle (Skittles) - Yorkshire Terrier 9lbs 2001 female Last edited by cowgirlek7; 03-29-2008 at 10:07 PM.

03-30-2008, 08:14 AM	#3
BluEyedCowgurl Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: MT Posts: 742 Images: 46	I personally own two dakota saddles and I really like them. I oil them regularly and I've never had a problem with the silver- I use a silver rag on the conchos and they polish right up. I'd had one of my saddles for fifteen years and it has had a LOT of riding time in it and looks awesome (this inclues rain, river crossings where we had to swim, etc). When I go trail riding with groups everyone always asks me who the maker of my saddle is, and everyone who has ever borrowed my saddle is impressed with how comfortable it is. The other one I have had for six years and it still looks new. I can't imagine they cut back on the quality that much? I could be wrong though. I think that it is just a matter of personal preference. I have never had the luxury of being able to buy a "quality" saddle, (I am aware that Dakota is considered middle of the road), but since I have yet to have a problem with the dakota's and so far the quality has been outstanding for me, I would probably buy another one. Hope this helps. __________________ Everytime you ride, you're either teaching or un-teaching your horse.

03-30-2008, 11:31 AM	#4
cowgirlek7 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Maine Posts: 692 Images: 76	thanks blueyedcowgurl. It says on the website the silver is Montana Silver, so I am hoping for decent silver then. I e-mailed them to get a quote on the saddle with the modifications I wanted. When I can get top of the line dressage saddle for less then 2500 from passier I have a real hard time spending anymore then that on a western saddle. The thing for me, is most of the time I am in my dressage saddle and just show in my western. __________________ Erin Sierras Coco Cola ( Coco or Coke)- Appaloosa 15.3 hand 2000 mare Erin's Special Skittle (Skittles) - Yorkshire Terrier 9lbs 2001 female

03-30-2008, 04:41 PM	#5
luttrellfarms Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 337	I agree that they are "middle of the road" saddles but fairly good ones. I own a tack shop and although I am not a "dealer" in them, I have had some in the past and my daughter rides one now. I see that you understand that they are not top of the line so I think you will be pleased with it. __________________ Tony R. Luttrell www.angelfire.com/trek/landrfarms

03-31-2008, 04:40 AM	#7
buck1173 Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 784 Images: 15 Blog Entries: 1	I've had my dakota for around 9 years and I love it love it love it... its not luxurious but it works, holds up beautifully, and cleans up beautifully... I've never had a problem polishing up the montana silver to a gleam even after all this time... I've ridden in all kinds of weather and have gone swimming in that saddle.... Its comfortable, I can ride it all day, and its been a reasonably good fit on every horse I've ever owned. but do shop that price, it seems very high, even for a top of the line Dakota.... I paid $700 for my semi-custom and even thats high for a Dakota. For the money, I can't say enough great things about it. __________________ “It’s really amazing what a horse will do for you if he understands what you want.... And it’s also quite amazing what he’ll do to you if he doesn’t.” — BILL DORRANCE "Horses generally are doing fine until the people show up." — LESLIE DESMOND

03-30-2008, 05:21 PM	#6
plainjanemw Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 424 Images: 8	Not everyone needs a 'high quality' saddle, so if it looks like something you will be pleased with go for it!

03-31-2008, 07:35 AM	#8
hmfields3 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Paris IL Posts: 194 Images: 2	I have had my Dakota for the past 3 years and I love it... It cleans up very nice and has held up for me and i am rough on them.. I think you will be pleased with the Dakota saddle.

03-31-2008, 10:29 AM	#9
morablogan Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: minnesota Posts: 951	I own quite a few dakota saddles and I own a couple custom made saddles. I love the dakota saddles thats for sure. Here is a link: http://www.horsesaddleshop.com/whatinnamofs.html __________________ *Proud Member of the Paint horse club*

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