I need recommendations for saddle bags,the pros and cons of front,or cantle bags[don’t know which ones I want].
Should I get leather or fabric?
I would like something small,for day trips,enough to hold a couple of waters,and some power bars.
I never had saddle bags before so I am a clean slate,so tell me what you know!
I use the “Deluxe Stowaway Pommel bags” on a Frank Baines Enduro, which is an English-style saddle and has D-rings in just the right places.
http://www.thedistancedepot.com/EasyCare_Deluxe_Stowaway_Pommel_p/ftr-dsp.htm
You can put them in the laundry and hang-dry them and they’ll look like new after. A lot less work than leather.
I prefer pommel bags to cantle because I ride an Arab and since my saddle is already 17.5, I like it to end where it ends and not add additional weight behind me. I also see a lot of people with the cantle setup but the bottles, or the whole bag, bounces a lot. Now, if you don’t have a short-backed horse, or mainly walk instead of trot and canter, then this should not be an issue.
Another reason I like the pommel bag is because I have everything right in front of me and can grab my water bottles even when going fast, and close the velcro and zippers easily without having to reach around or stop. I keep my vet card and ride map right in front for easy access. Again, this may not concern you but it works well for endurance and such where you’re going fast and want to avoid fiddling with things too much.
The drawback is that the side bags most likely will lie flat on your horses shoulder and the top compartment above the wither, so therefore trapping a bit of heat. Again, not at all a concern if you’re not competing but there have been discussions about that around ridecamps 
I bought some western horn bags with a flat piece that is wide enough to fit under the cantle of my saddle. I added a couple of cheap, dollar store, dog collars to attach it to the billets on my saddle.
This is very convient. It works on every saddle I use, western or english, I keep it packed with some emergency supplies and there is room for some snacks if I want.
You can see some pictures here:
http://s620.photobucket.com/home/cap7297#!cpZZ2QQtppZZ20
Christa
I tried the Stowaway pommel saddle pack but it just seemed to get in the way too much – my reins were always getting hung up on it. I now am using a Snugpax Slimline pommel pack, that I like much better. I do not carry a lot of stuff with me on the trail or on the LD rides I have done, so I have plenty of room and it stays out of the way a little more. There also is no bounce for those fast rides.
My fav for my english saddle is
http://www.horsecountrycarrot.com/index.cfm?action=store&sub=product&prod=435&cat=134
Golden Pony, that’s an adorable bag! But doesn’t it bounce like crazy? And where do you keep your water bottles?
I have the slimline pomel pack from snug pax. It has just enough room for 2 water bottles (insulated pockets) and a small lunch/snack. I have no problem with bounce at w-t-c. The pack cleans well in the washing machine.
I love my Snug Pax packs.
another plug for the “stowaway” brand. I have schneiders cantle bag and it’s fine especially for the price, but the stowaway pommel bag is awesome.
Thanks guys,some good things to look into.
Do you find less bounce with the cantle packs or pommel packs?
One of my horses [ a redheaded TB]is pretty sensitive and easily irritated!
Golden Pony, that’s an adorable bag! But doesn’t it bounce like crazy? And where do you keep your water bottles?
It doesn;t bounce too badly as I have it weighted with JUNK pretty well! I have a small neoprene bottle holder that I clip to the front ring on an english saddle. I use a Tucker endurance for anything longer than an hour - lots more carrying space and D-rings!
Another vote here for the Stowaway bags. There are enough styles available to find the “right” one for what you need.
I started out with one of the rear western cantle bag to use on my Tucker Cheyenne saddle and really liked it. It seems like there are pockets EVERYWHERE in that thing! Later I got the front/horn bag (in black, to match the cantle bag). . .it can be kind of a PITA to get a snug fit. But, again, the pockets are EVERYWHERE!:lol:
Last year, while camping at East Fork Stables in Jamestown, TN I caved and bought the deluxe pommel bag, which has regular pouches in addition to the water bottle holders, to use on my eBay-bought “Western endurance” trail saddle.
I prefer having the pommel bags rather than cantle, other than the issues with getting them to stay as snug. It allows the flexibility to add regular saddle bags in the back, along with tying on my outback/slicker or other things to the back of my saddle.
my schneiders cantle bagdoesn’t move at all. But neither does the stowaway pommel bag! The only challenge I have with the pommel bag is that both of my horses go in a fleece pad with a big roll in front and with only 2 rides so far, I’m still finessing placement - in front of the roll more on their neck or on the roll and more up in my hands. Both places are secure without the use of D rings, but the weather has not been cooperating in the 3 weeks I’ve had it, so I haven’t sorted out which position I prefer.
