Friends & Family owned - Trade-in Your Used Saddle!
horse saddle deals
DAKOTA SADDLE COLLECTION

Shop Dakota Saddles for Barrel, Trail and Roping

Dakota saddles are made by Dakota Saddlery in Ider, Alabama, and give riders a US-made western saddle at a mid-range price. Compare barrel, trail, roping and wade models below, and check the seat size and tree width on each listing before you buy.

Are Dakota Saddles Good?

Dakota Saddlery builds western saddles in Ider, Alabama, and sells them through tack dealers rather than direct to riders. Dealers generally present Dakota as a value brand: a US-made saddle priced below premium makers. In our current stock, most new Dakota saddles cost between about $1,200 and $1,800.

The build is practical rather than showy. Most of our Dakota listings are built on fiberglass-covered trees, many from Steele, and many note a five-year tree warranty from Dakota. Check each listing for its own tree, bars and warranty details, because they vary by model.

Dakota Saddles by Riding Style

Dakota builds saddles for most western disciplines. The table shows what to look for in each style and what those saddles cost in our current stock, so you can narrow the choice before comparing individual listings.

StyleWhat to look forPrice in our current stockBrowse
BarrelA deep, secure seat and a lighter build for fast turnsAbout $380–$2,250Barrel saddles
TrailComfort for long hours; several gaited trail modelsAbout $950–$1,750Trail saddles
RopingA strong horn and rigging built to hold a dallyAbout $1,400–$1,815Roping saddles
WadeA slick fork and a traditional ranch designAbout $1,785–$1,940Ranch saddles
Ranch and muleWorking-day construction; a mule tree for mulesAbout $1,465–$1,630Mule saddles

Tree Types on Dakota Saddles

  • Fiberglass-covered trees: the most common tree on our Dakota listings. They are light and strong, and many listings name a Steele tree.
  • Bars: listings show regular, semi or full quarter horse bars. Full bars suit broad, flat-backed horses; semi bars suit horses with more defined withers. Our semi quarter horse bars guide explains the difference.
  • Rawhide details: on Dakota saddles, rawhide usually appears as a braided horn or cantle trim, not as the tree covering.
  • Warranty: many listings note a five-year tree warranty from Dakota. Check the individual listing.

For the names of each part, see parts of a western saddle.

New vs Used Dakota Saddles

NewUsed
Price in our current stockAbout $380–$2,250About $910–$970
ConditionNew from the makerPre-owned; condition noted on each listing
Returns30-day refund and returns policy14-day Test Ride Demo Program

A new saddle comes straight from the maker, with any warranty shown on its listing. A used Dakota can save several hundred dollars, but look closely at the tree, stitching and fleece in the photos, and ask us for more photos if you need them.

Choosing Your Dakota Saddle Size

  • Measure the seat you ride comfortably now and compare it with the seat size on the listing.
  • Check the tree width and bars against your horse’s build, not just the seat size.
  • Take a wither tracing if you are unsure. Our Saddle Size Guide shows how.
  • Call us with your height, weight and riding style if you want a second opinion.

Remember that seat size is about the rider and tree width is about the horse. A saddle that fits you but pinches your horse will cause problems on the first long ride.

FAQs

Dakota Saddles FAQs

Dakota saddles are generally seen as a solid mid-range choice: US-made in Alabama and priced below premium brands. In our current stock, most new Dakota saddles sit between about $1,200 and $1,800. Many of our listings are built on fiberglass-covered trees and note a five-year tree warranty from Dakota, which gives buyers some protection on the part of the saddle that matters most for fit. As with any saddle, quality only helps if the tree fits your horse, so check bars and seat size first.

Dakota saddles are made by Dakota Saddlery in Ider, Alabama, in the northeast corner of the state. The company sells its saddles wholesale through tack stores and saddle dealers, which is why you will find them at retailers like us rather than on a Dakota website. If you want to know about a specific Dakota model’s construction, the product listing usually shows its tree, bars, rigging and seat size.

Dakota Saddlery sells through dealers rather than directly to riders, and it does not run its own online store. That is why a search for a Dakota saddles website usually brings up tack retailers. When buying from a dealer, compare the model number, seat size, tree width and warranty shown on the listing, and ask the dealer about returns before you order so you know your options if the saddle does not fit.

A used Dakota saddle can be good value if the tree is sound and it fits your horse. Check the tree for cracks or twisting, and look at the stitching, fleece and leather wear, especially where the saddle carries weight. Used Dakota saddles in our current stock range from about $910 to $970, and used saddles can be tried through our 14-day Test Ride Demo Program so you can check the fit before committing.

A wade saddle is a traditional ranch saddle with a slick fork (no swells), a sturdy horn for dallying and a design made for long working days. Many ranch riders like the open front, which leaves room to move. Dakota’s wade models in our current stock cost about $1,785 to $1,940. If you ride mostly trail or arena, a trail or roping saddle may suit you better, so compare the options above.

Looking for other brands too? Browse our full range of western saddles.

Share on FacebookShare on MastodonShare by emailShare this page
Scroll to Top