I’m looking for a padded saddle bag (like this sort of thing) but that opens at the cantle of the saddle, rather than the pommel. Or it could even zip all the way around, with the top and bottom able to come apart?
Everything I can find opens at the pommel, or it’s just not clear at all if it opens at the cantle.
Any ideas? (Other than to modify a pommel opening one? Too many projects brewing as it is! 
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From the specs for that bag:
“Easy load and unload with heavy duty zipper that opens all the way around”
IME, the top half and bottom half will be practically separate (just attached for a very short bit at the pommel) when fully unzipped. So, you could open the whole thing up and flip the top half forward, place your saddle on the bottom half, flip the top back over your saddle and zip down the front of the flap, then the bottom, then around the cantle, then down around and up the other flap.
Is this what you’re looking for but for the short joined piece to be at the cantle instead of the pommel?
The pictures clearly show that the bag I linked doesn’t open at the cantle. It’s sewn shut. The zipper stops here. The top and bottom of this bag cannot be separated at the cantle.
I want this part open. If a part of the top and bottom is sewn shut, I’d like it at the pommel. Or the top half of the bag can zip completely off the bottom half.
Oh, the lying liars! I hadn’t blown the images up so I was taking the blurb’s word for it and wondering what exactly you were after lol.
Try Shires Aubrion Equipt.
One thing to keep in mind with your design wish is that by having the zipper go completely around the cantle you forego extra padding for the most easily damaged part of the saddle. Additionally you open the possibility of catching the cantle with the zipper while you’re zipping/unzipping. That said, if the case is big enough and you’re careful, neither of those should be an issue unless you’re expecting it to survive checked luggage or something.
https://www.doversaddlery.com/tffrdr-classic-saddle-bag/p/X1-33867/
Not sure how padded it is. Could call and ask about the zipper.
https://www.doversaddlery.com/fleece-lnd-ap-sddl-carry-case/p/X1-33357/
Looks like it zips around the cantle. I’d ask, though.
Yeah, it’s been a super frustrating search Pictures mostly don’t show at all if the bag opens at the cantle, and descriptions suck about this particular detail.
That’s a good point about leaving the cantle less padded, and maybe that’s why they’re all sewn there! I just want extra protection in the tack room, so I think it’ll be okay for this.
The Shire’s bag looks nice but like soooooo many others I just can’t tell if it actually opens at the cantle. Have you seen one up close and personal?
Same with the Dover’s bags, @foggythistle. Have you laid eyes on one? The pictures just don’t show it.
I’m trying hard to avoid shooting off a ton of emails to vendors, lol. Was hoping someone just had a bag that opens this way and could clue me in! Or maybe turn up a picture of one that does, god knows I’ve tried and come up short 
@Simkie
I have not seen the bags myself, which is why I suggested calling (or chatting) with someone who works at Dover to see of either of those match your criteria.
Personally, I have 2 bags that open from the cantle side and 2 that open on the pommel side. The zippers for the cantle zip bags are MUCH longer than the pommel zip bags. I prefer the pommel zip bags because it’s less of a pain to zip the bag when it’s on the saddle rack. I don’t have to reach as far and there’s less chance, because of the shorter zipper, for miscellaneous threads to get stuck in the zipper.
What brand are these?
Yeah, I can send emails all over. I’m hoping to avoid that by finding people who actually have bags that open at the cantle. Like you! Hook me up with the deets of your cantle opening bags 
@Simkie I believe I purchased them at the State Line store that was in Plaistow, New Hampshire. They would have been whatever the store was selling. There are no tags on them.
That store is now occupied by a Dover Saddlery branch. I would have purchased them over 30 years ago.
Thanks! Bummer there’s no brand to seek out, but glad to know they do exist!
No, I haven’t. Might be worth giving Shires a ring though. I thought I might be at a shop today that carries them, but don’t actually have to go that direction this week. Sorry!
I took another look at the pics and the description, and I think it does connect at the cantle, sigh! Pics definitely show opening at the pommel, and the descriptions says it “opens flat.” Since the top doesn’t entirely unzip from the bottom, I don’t think it can open at the cantle. 
At this point, I’m kind of eyeballing my old unused heavy blankets. They might be able to be turned into something that would work! But, alas, so many other projects brewing!
@Simke They DID exist, 30+ years ago. And, mine are not padded. Just the nylon.
If you decide to build one on your own, I can recommend Strapworks for the nylon straps for the handles. I’ve made grain bag totes using their strapping and they ship pretty fast. I’ve had the strapping within a week. Rochford Supply is a source for zippers by the inch.
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