New to trailriding - Saddle Bag for English saddle?

[Bopper]

I am thinking about competing in some local trail riding events. The organization that holds the trail rides requires that riders carry halter, lead rope, water bottle, hoof pick, etc. with them on the trail. I have an english saddle so I am not sure how to carry these items. Are there English saddle bags and if so where do I find them (I checked some catalogs and websites without much luck)?

Thanks, Bopper

[wylde_sage]

Endurance.net for stores. I think they are called Stowaway bags and they work the best with an english saddle. Good luck!

[Appsolute]

You can use a pommel bag that attaches to the D’s in the front of the saddle:

http://www.sstack.com/product/dura-tech-trail-pommel-bag/

Or a cantle bag for the back:

http://www.sstack.com/western_trail-riding-accessories/dura-tech-english-cantle-bag/

Halter and rope can stay on the horse (under the bridle). Also, some english saddles have two D’s on one side of the cantel, where you can attach a small “sandwitch case” (from fox hunting).

sandwitch case

[Bopper]

Thanks for the responses. The only D’s on the saddle are on front so a pommel bag will have to work. I am going to watch and meet people at the trail ride before I bring my horse just to scope things out.

Bopper

[ironbessflint]

You can also get these pads from PRI (I’m sure other companies made them as well) that give you a bit more room

http://pri-equine.com/SaddlePads/Trail/T55008.htm

[candysgirl]

I LOVE my Snugpax pommel bag:
http://store.runningbear.com/catalog/display.php?cartid=4efbc3906dffd&zid=1&lid=1&cat=30&scat=207

I really don’t need to take a heck of a lot more than this holds with me out on the trail. It fits two water bottles in the side pouches and the top pouch can hold smaller stuff like a leatherman type tool (I use the pliers part on there as a hoofpick), granola bar, a whistle/compass/thermometer thing, a glow stick, and a small Mag-Lite.

I also have a card pack that I put my ride card and trail map in that I clip over top of the other one. Its easy to pull off as we’re walking into camp so I can have the card ready for pulsing in and vetting in.
http://store.runningbear.com/catalog/display.php?cartid=4efbc3906dffd&zid=1&lid=1&cat=30&scat=208

I have a cantle bag, I believe by Dura-Tech that isn’t nearly so well made as the Snugpax. It gets the job done, but I like the Snugpax a LOT better.
http://store.runningbear.com/catalog/display.php?cartid=49222f560d263&zid=1&lid=1&cat=28&scat=201 Its similar to the English one on here. I’ll probably be replacing my other one with a Snugpax one. Though I don’t typically do much that requires two packs for one ride.

My trail bridle can double as a halter (just unclip the bit hangers), but if they wanted me to have another halter I’d just stuff my thin rope halter in there.

As for a lead rope, when I trail ride with one (we often ride from one end of a park to the other where there is a restaurant with hitching posts), I tie it around my horse’s neck and then clip the snap to one of the Ds on the front of the saddle. It stays out of the way and its there when I need it.

[TheOtherHorse]

I use this one on my dressage saddle. I can also attach larger traditional western saddle bags with small dog collars to the billets if I need to bring more stuff. Water bottle holders easily clip to the front dees, as do pommel packs, or twisted up lead ropes. I use a halter-bridle most of the time, but a slim rope halter fits comfortably under a bridle or can be inside the twisted up lead rope hooked to the front dees.

[wendy]

http://www.snugpax.com/english.htm

I like this design. No D-rings needed. Pommel bags irritate me.

[rmh_rider]

You can also put more dee rings on your saddle.

I did.

Lots of options for saddle bags for english saddles. LOTS.

I have the pack listed above. Love it. Mine is red for very good visibility. I have washed it many times and it is in fine shape. I really like how it is not sitting on my horses back.

[sonata]

tack wholesale has a very nice pocket pad. I have a couple. They wash up really nice. I also bought a school lunch bag in a retangle shape. It is insulated and big enough for water bottles and a sandwich. I put a snap on the handle and hook it to my D ring on the front of the saddle

[mildot]

[QUOTE=wendy;6049611]
http://www.snugpax.com/english.htm

I like this design. No D-rings needed. Pommel bags irritate me.[/QUOTE]

The Day Rider looks awesome.

[CBudFrggy]

Stowaway for endurance/trail

This saddle bag works great with English saddles…

http://catalog.windridertack.com/viewProduct.cfm?item_id=635989

[Mukluk]

I use a stowaway pommel pack

http://www.longridersgear.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=79_29_56&products_id=239

and a saddle pad with two pockets- this set up holds pretty much everything I need. I also have a D ring with attached rope on either side of the saddle pad behind the saddle so I can easily tie extra clothing etc if I like. If I need to have a halter I usually just put it over her bridle. Good luck!

[Katjianna]

I vote for the Sura Tech one. I have it and just love it!