I like the Stowaway or Snugpax type cantle and pommel packs best —*no bouncing or flapping against the sides of the horse like larger bags and pads with a pocket. Just my two cents.
I found this topic on a Google search for “pack straps english saddle”. I also found this terrific article with all the how to’s for packing a lot of stuff on one horse with an english saddle. I have a Cambridge Sr. Event saddle, which is perfect for trail riding, except for extra loops to hang things on! www.bchu.com/packingES.pdf
As a photographer, if you’re mostly interested in a camera bag, mine is a Lowepro, the biggest holster style they make, which fits my prosumer DSLR with zoom lens, and has tons of pockets for extras. I have a bucking strap across the front loops of the pommel, and hang the bag on it with a caribiner, and same for the other side, which carries a water bottle. They stay put and don’t bounce.
Now I’ll go check out the links you all have provided. Thanks!
Which do you all think has more storage room?
The Snug pax’s Western Cantle Bag w/out water (2nd down on this page: http://www.snugpax.com/westerm.htm)
or the delux stowaway (http://www.easycareinc.com/Other_Products/Stowaway_Packs.aspx)?
I just got the stowaway pommel pack for English and it is very nice. Does not bounce around and lots of places to put things. That in combination with a saddle pad with pockets holds a fair amount of stuff!
http://www.synergistsaddles.com/saddle_accessories.htm
the fifth one down. Mine does not seem as bulky as the one in the picture.
I have an english cantle bag with insulated bottle holders on either side. It has a half moon pocket that fits over the cantle and two velcro straps that secure it to the girth billets. It also fits fabulously behind the cantle on my western saddle. The main compartment is a banana shaped zip pocket, and the bottom is slightly padded to keep sharp objects from poking the horse.
Currently it is holding a folding saw, a fencing tool, hand pruners, a hoofpick, a 12 foot leadrope and rope halter,(and still has room for an EZboot or lunch), two water bottles and still has several adjustable straps to hold my rolled up slicker if I need it.
Just make sure your cell phone is attached to you and not in one of the saddle pouches. My sister fell while riding alone and her horse took her phone home with him and didn’t call anybody to let them know he had left her in the woods for a long walk home. Luckily no injuries.
Completely agree with Lily04. I have several of these http://www.chicksaddlery.com/page/CDS/PROD/0001/CPC162-S in various colors. They are nice because you can put them around your upper arm, around your upper calf, through beltloops, etc, so it stays with you if you and your horse part company. I also like to have them for hiking, walking the dog, etc. Never know when you are going to have an emergency.
Forgot, but when I was out looking for the cell phone holder link on Chicks, there is this knock off of the Stowaway and Snugpax. I have one as a back up. Not bad as an extra or if you are on a budget. http://www.chicksaddlery.com/page/CDS/PROD/3099/FSB990.
