What makes good saddlebags?
I discovered five points that I think are critical for good saddlebags: They have to fit the saddle. The horse saddlebags should not be so far apart that the bags no longer rest on the saddle skirts. The saddlebag connector needs to be curved to fit snugly around the cantle. The saddlebags should not be too long or too wide or the weight of the bags will not be carried where it is comfortable for the animal. They have to stay put. So many times I would be riding down the trail and meet another rider with their saddlebags hanging off to one side. Or I would follow someone who was constantly reaching around to shift the bags back in place. And forget trotting or loping with these bags. They looked like a bird trying to take off. Worse than that, they would slap and bang against the horse’s flanks. At best, this is annoying, but with the wrong horse, it can be very dangerous. They have to be able to carry stuff. I have seen a lot of western saddlebags with neat little pockets and features
