Dixieland
Endurance round skirt w/ horn flex tree
Trail Saddles
Manufacturer: Dixieland
Model: Endurance round skirt w/ horn flex tree
Category: Trail Saddles
Purchase: I ordered it new from Dixieland. I talked with Cynthia a couple of times & took some of her recommendations. I paid just shy of $1300 w/breast collar & pad.
Likes: Initially it was comfortable. Craftsmanship is quality. Looks nice.
Dislikes: The flex tree has no structure or support.The seat padding compressed very quickly & I'm a bit built crooked so I have a 3 inch divot in the left side and a 1.5 inch divot in the right side that never recover. It slips off to the left after a very short ride requiring me to get off every 15-20 minutes and recenter(which is an exercise in futility)and is especially bad in the winter when my mare really sweats. I have tried numerous pads, cinches, shims, a rear cinch
and every rigging configuration I can come up with but to to avail. I called Cynthia who suggested new form photos. I did that and she told me that my mare had changed a bunch in 2 years & it might need a new tree. She had no explanation as to why the padding compressed so badly but said for $50 they would replace the padding. Why bother right?
Cynthia wasn't interested in hearing my troubles with the saddle nor was she remotely interested in helping get the troubles solved.
I have had 2 saddle fitters and 1 saddle maker look at it and they all just shake their heads. With no prompting they all pick up on the fact that it is crooked. One told me to get the padding replaced so it looks good again and SELL IT!
In spite of advertised weight it is 32 pounds.
Quality: Leather construction is very good but after 2.5 years it still squeaks. I have been told that it is built twisted/crooked so that would get a poor rating from me.
Summary: I researched extensively before committing to the Dixieland. I made my decision based largely on the reviews on Horse Tack Reviews. Dixieland is one of very few with consistent high reviews. I was hoping to have a great review as well but there is no way I can give a good review for a crooked saddle and an owner who isn't interested in helping get the problems resolved.
11/8/12
Rating: 1
Author: Disappointed w/ Dixieland
Date: 2012-11-08
Usefulness Rating: 2.92308 out of 5.
26 reader(s) voted.
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