Saddle Bag Recommendations

[stargzng386]

I’m going on an overnight camping trip with my horse in October and need to get a saddle bag to hold my lunch and water. Any suggestions? I’d prefer a cantle bag I have a small horn bag for one bottle of water and little stuff.

Also any other tips it will be my first time going camping so I’m starting my packing list now.

[aliceo]

http://www.outfitterssupply.com/

i have their horn bag and their saddle panniers. very well made, very durable, and field tested.

for saddle bags i had plain, flat market bags made from heavy duty oilcloth (same material used in australian duster riding coats) by a local seamstress who makes the dusters. they are practically weightless and very versatile.

basically they are a long, skinny pillow case, sewn closed at the ends, and with an open slit in the middle. fill either end with your stuff, lay across the horse’s back behind the cantle or in front of the pommel, and tie up with your saddle strings. i use four of them to go on a multi-day trip.

put the heaviest stuff in front. keep weight off your horse’s loins as much as possible.

[kasjordan]

Have you ever ridden with cantle bags? I’m not a fan. If you put anything bulky in them it’s possible to get hung up a bit getting on and off quickly if needed. Would a horn bag that’s a bit bigger suffice? They make them like miniature little saddlebags to keep up there too.

[stargzng386]

I could do a bigger horn bag as well. I just felt that having that much bulk in front of me would be in the way more than behind the saddle.

[cutter99]

I have tried about every brand out there and this is the ONLY brand for me. Their bags stay put and wear incredibly well.

http://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Stowaway_Saddlebags__Packs/catpage-STOWAWAYBAG.html

[ehwaz]

I’d check out snugpax- lots of options and great quality
http://www.snugpax.com/

[PeanutButterPony]

I’ve been really happy with this bag on a western saddle. I can fit my full length Muddy Creek coat in it (rolled) along with snacks and a few small items.

http://www.outfitterssupply.com/TrailMax-500-Series-Cantle-Pocket/productinfo/WTM530/

low profile, roomy, adjustable.

this is a great ‘horn bag’ for holding a small camera, chapstick, snacks, gloves, leatherman, etc. …
http://www.outfitterssupply.com/TrailMax-500-Series-Front-Pocket/productinfo/WTM502/

this stays on my saddle 24/7. Again great for small items, hoofpick, horse treats, stash your gloves and sunglasses.

http://www.outfitterssupply.com/TrailMax-Pommel-Pocket/productinfo/WTM170/

I kinda hate this one. It is annoying if hung from the pommel unless it’s also snugged to a breast collar - it’s going to wallow around some. maybe you could rig it on the D of a rear girth

http://www.outfitterssupply.com/TrailMax-500-Series-Saddle-Water-Pocket-w_Stainless-Steel-Bottle/productinfo/WTM503-SS/

For ‘saddle bags’ I like anything insulated and that closes with velcro. Clip closures and buckles are fine for trips where you won’t get into them from horseback, but are kind of a pill if you do. Don’t use ice- use freezer packs or bottles of frozen water you’ll drink when they thaw. Warning they’ll be noisy while they thaw

For day tripping and packs I don’t have to clean up/air out/worry about- get these:

http://www.outfitterssupply.com/Canvas-Saddlebags/productinfo/WSB300/

we’ll buckle both buckles, but leave the one closest to the rider, looser, so you can get things out more easily from horseback.

[GallopHer]

I highly recommend the stowaways. I have both the English and Western versions of their cantle bags. I also have a pommel bag. I like the various compartments and they hold up well.

Best of luck.

[Southernboy]

Before you leave on your trip, tie your saddle bags on, fully loaded, and ride around at home. Most horses don’t mind the bags, some do. It would be best to find out in an enclosed area with soft ground.

[SonnysMom]

I also have the English Stowaway cantle bag and like it. If you are only carrying lunch and water it sounds like you don’t need to get too carried away on size. I would stay as small as possible then you are more likely to use the bag for water for regular trail riding.

[cls]

I like the Snugpax bags. Really good designs. Made of high quality material, fit well, are very sturdy and have lots of room.

I have two. A Slimline Western Pommel Bag. I put a water bottle in each side plus lip balm etc in the middle. This works well for day rides.

http://www.snugpax.com/SLW-NEW-WEB.jpg

I also have a Uni Bag if more is needed. It holds a ton of stuff.

http://www.snugpax.com/UNI-WEB-NEW-2.jpg

Between the two I’m pretty well packed.

[stargzng386]

Thanks for the suggestions! I picked up a stowaway deluxe pommel bag today in an online labor day sale. Any suggestions on what I should keep in my saddle bag for safety? I’m thinking a roll of vetwrap and a hoofpick for sure.