Dover Saddlery — Attraction in Libertyville

I've had my Ariat top of the line boots now for a year.

I need to rethink my investment so I can find something nice to say about my purchase...

My Ariats sit on the top shelf for special occasions. They look beautiful..

I'm disappointed 😥

I can walk in them, if bandaged, and I leave the zipper down a bit, for about 30 minutes. They work great in the stirrups. They look awesome in photos. I think they will live forever.

The sales person said they would eventually break in. Let's face it.. Boots don't break first... Feet do...

I paid more for these boots than any other in my life (over $500.) and drove four hours round trip to get them.

I should have gone with the half chaps and not followed the sales person's advise.

I still have to wear bandages on my Achilles tendons, the leg of the boot is still too tall for me and did not soften and stretch enough..

Even though I did everything I was instructed to do to soften the leather. (Disabled veterans can follow instructions correctly).

The risers didn't fix the problem either.

I still love the boot and the brand but am still searching for a solution to fix the salesperson's bad advise.

I've asked other riders (taller ones with bigger feet) to wear them for me in the barn mucking stalls or giving baths, but they are hesitant to break them in for me because of how expensive the boots are.

(Muck Boots run about $100. Don't need a break in and last about five years, but don't work well in the stirrups or walking around at the track)

People are concerned when they see me dismount and limp to my seat, then take my boots off to walk my horses..

The boot socks and riding gloves were worth every penny I paid for them and people compliment me on my beautiful socks ($15/pr. x3) and gloves ($35).

I switched to cheaper boots from Famous Footwear. (After my discounts I got them for about $30. They fit comfortably, didn't need a break in period, my gel inserts fit, and they've also been durable enough to wear all day) I wish these products were sold closer to my home in Central Wisconsin. Catalog shopping for boots that fit is still a very real problem for people with foot disability. At this point I'm looking forward to giving them to a grand child eventually... My daughter just loves my old worn in combat boots.. They are a family heirloom......

I have been shopping at this Dover location almost as long as it's been a Dover, and I used to stop in quite a lot. I moved to be closer to my horse and it's no longer between my home and barn so I don't stop in as much as I used to. I now get most of my basics at my local feed store but I still do drive out to this Dover specifically for blades and one brand of treats that my horse and I really like. Last year I had surgery to correct some sinus and nasal issues and I regained my sense of smell which had been gone for years. So I will admit, yes, my horse loves these treats but I also love feeding them to him because of the smell they have! Today I grabbed his favorite flavor and a large tub of a winter flavor, I was dying to smell it. So I unscrewed the top to take a whiff of them which I realize in a Covid world was a bad idea. I knew I was buying them but the employees didn't. Now I KNOW it's stressful working with the public right now. I've been doing it since May, when I was re-classified as essential and opened before the rest of the businesses. I know all the ways that people do things that aren't safe right now, and they almost always do them on accident and are greatly embarrassed when it's pointed out to them. I know that its stressful to have to ask them not to all day. Because I do it all day. However, the intensity with which I was snapped at (less than 15 minutes after opening) flustered me so much that I quickly purchased the treats and ran to my car, eyes watering. I then realized I came for a halter and blade as well and went back in but by then I wanted to leave as quickly as possible and not touch anything else. It's just nice to be able to get some essentials without waiting for and paying for shipping but I think from now on I will stick to ordering online and just pay the extra...

Elite. Made a special trip to be fitted for special boots due to my service connected veteran's disability... Boot rep spent much time with me and was very attentive. Told me that eventually I would have to " break in" the boots because my legs are a little short of average... Put heel risers in the boots to help with the process... Boots came with stretchers and a really nice box. The socks that belong with the boots.. Extra thin extra long... Fifteen dollars per pair... Boots ran over five hundred... Can't find anything else even close in Wisconsin. And I've looked and looked for years.. so..I also bought the leather conditioners, and several boxes of flexible bandages to cover my Achilles tendons to prevent further damage and more surgery... Currently loaning my "new legs" out to those who have slightly larger ankles, and longer legs.. To help finish stretching them out to hopefully get through this break in period. The feet ( toe part) where I had the surgeries and the crush injury.. Feel great.. love the back zipper. Doesn't hurt at all to put them on or take them off.... Just wish the store would've had something that fit because it was a five hour round trip drive... And I live on a veterans pension and need foot gear that works because I spend most days in the barn... Had to go back to mostly using my good ol Muck boots. I wear them in public as often and as long as I can. I wish the store rep would have told the manufacturer to give me a follow up call.... If these boots work..I need more then one pair... Too bad I was a tiny little female veteran sale and the only one that needed...