Last updated on March 12th, 2023 at 09:32 pm
Saddle Cover Bag and Saddle Carrying Bags
Buying a horse saddle is a huge investment. To be perfectly honest, everything involving your horse is often a huge investment. So, it’s no surprise that when it comes to an expensive saddle, using something like a saddle carrying bag or a saddle cover is preferred by those who don’t want to damage such costly equipment.
If you’re interested in purchasing a saddle-carrying bag but aren’t sure where to start, we’ve got you covered. We’re going to go over why you need a saddle-carrying bag, exactly what features to look for in a saddle carrier, and how to choose the best saddle cover to keep away dust and debris.
Why Do You Need a Saddle Carrying Bag?
Why should you spend so much extra money on a saddle-carrying bag? The answer is simple. If you travel a lot with your horse, packing around a big, heavy, and expensive saddle can turn into a huge pain. Not only is carrying a saddle around annoying without a special carrier, but you could damage the leather or cause premature wear by getting it soaked in the rain.
If you don’t ride very often, there’s probably no need to get a saddle carrier. This is really only a necessary piece of equipment for those who travel between the trailer and the stable frequently, or for people who ride every day or several times a week.
And in case you were wondering, saddle carriers of course come in various sizes and shapes, and you can get specific saddle carrying bags for your Western saddle or your English saddle.
What to Look for in a Saddle Carrying Bag
If you’re dead set on picking up a new saddle carrying bag, there are a few main features to look for.
First of all, you want a saddle that makes your life easier. Because you’re going to be carrying this heavy piece of equipment around with you, your saddle bag must make it easier to transport your saddle back and forth. Always check for sufficient padding so that you have a comfortable time packing around the saddle in its bag.
Also, padding is important so that you don’t feel the saddle bumping around while you’re carrying it, which of course can damage the leather. At the same time, you don’t want a bag that’s too padded or it’ll feel like you’re carrying around an extremely heavy marshmallow.
The interior of your saddle carrying bag should have a soft lining. You never want to worry that your saddle is scraping against the interior of its bag and damaging the leather. You want the saddle to look exactly the same when it comes out of the bag as it did when you put it inside.
For size, it’s a bit trickier. You want enough room inside your saddle bag to fit larger saddles. But at the same time, you don’t want your saddle to be loose inside the bag, otherwise it will shake around and be annoying.
Some people prefer to have a bit of extra room inside their saddle carrier to fit extra pieces of equipment. However, this can prove to be a poor decision. If you throw in bridle buckles with your saddle, all the jiggling around while you’re carrying the bag could cause the buckles to scratch the leather.
Unfortunately, it’s a bit tougher to find a multi-purpose carrier, meaning you’ll probably need to choose the proper saddle bag for your designation. Make sure that whether you have a dressage saddle or a jumping saddle, the carrier is specifically designed to fit it!
Finally, you need to think about shoulder straps and zippers. Shoulder straps are something that every carrier should come with. A shoulder strap will help you carry your saddle around, allowing you to have it resting comfortably against your hip while the shoulder strap bears most of the weight. You definitely want to pick up a saddle carrier with a shoulder strap.
As for zippers, these make it much easier for loading and unloading your saddle. Saddles are cumbersome objects and tough to get in and out of cases. This is especially true for heavy dressage saddles. Having a quality zipper that fully opens and closes the bag will make your life infinitely easier.
Western Saddle Cover
A western saddle cover will be a little different in terms of shape than an english saddle cover. The horn and overall size of the saddle will mean a bigger cover or carrying bag.
What is a Saddle Cover Bag?
A horse saddle cover bag is a type of bag designed to protect and store a horse saddle. It is typically made of durable and water-resistant materials such as nylon or polyester and is designed to fit over the saddle while it is not in use.
Horse saddle cover bags come in various shapes and sizes to accommodate different types of saddles. They typically feature zippers, buckles, or straps to securely close the bag and keep the saddle clean and protected from dust, dirt, and moisture. Some saddle cover bags also have handles or shoulder straps to make them easier to transport.
Eglish Saddle Covers and Cover Bag
As you would expect English saddle covers or saddle cover bags work with an English saddle. English saddle covers are shaped differently because they don’t have to cover the horn or pommel of a western saddle. Usually, they have a draw string that tightens up on the bottom.
Here is a really great example of one that would make you look smart and serious at your local barn.
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An English saddle cover bag (saddle covers) will help you carry the saddle to events and lessons. Saddle covers will keep it looking great in the barn, you could get both or just get a bag. Here is an example of a great English saddle cover bag. These saddle covers also come in a bunch of cool colours.
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Western Saddle Covers and Cover Bags
As you would expect a western saddle cover bag is bigger because it has to incorporate the horn and the pommel. Western saddle covers are also designed for larger, longer stirrups. A cover is used to keep the saddle clean, and carry bags are used to transport the saddle and also keep it clean. Carry bags can sometimes be more expensive but they will often have additional pockets or accessories. Carry bags also have a strap and usually a clip of some kind. The idea with carry bags is to make sure you get a quality one so that these smaller pieces don’t break.
Here is a great example of a western cover.
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Using saddle covers is a great way to protect the saddle from damage and prolong its lifespan. It is also useful for keeping the saddle clean and ready to use, especially if it is stored in a barn or other dusty environment.
Here is a great example of a western saddle cover bag (carry bags) that will help you carry the saddle and keep it protected.
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Dressage Saddle Cover and Cover Bag
Yes of course there are dressage saddle covers available, and they include ll of the things you would expect for a dressage saddle cover. Here is a great example of a dressage saddle cover.
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Why Do You Need a Saddle Cover?
Saddle carriers are great for taking the load off and for keeping your saddle in perfect condition while transporting it from one place to another. But saddle covers are also very important. Purchasing a quality saddle cover is critical for keeping your saddle out of the elements while in storage. Good bags usually have easy access to compartments and the saddle itself, they also allow you to carry a few other items like. the sinch, protective vests or a pair of gloves. Easy access to these other items can be really beneficial.
Yes, you can use a saddle cover when travelling. You can even combine a saddle cover with a saddle-carrying bag. The job of the saddle cover is to keep your saddle clean and protected at all times. This will make cleaning your saddle much easier, it will keep all the dust away from your saddle, and it’s honestly the best way to keep your saddle stored.
Which Saddle Cover is Best?
There are lots of different saddle covers to choose from. A quilted saddle cover is a perfect way to protect your saddle while travelling, keeping it safe from bumps and scratches. It’s also a great replacement for a saddle carrier if you don’t feel like buying both.
You can also get a clear plastic saddle cover that’s cheap and still useful. This type of saddle cover is only used in the tack room or while riding to keep the rain off and your saddle free of dirt.
For at-home storage, you might want to consider a heavy-duty nylon saddle cover for complete protection. These kinds of saddle covers protect everything from the horn to the stirrup. These covers feature elastic bands that keep the cover snug to the saddle, that way it stays exactly where it is no matter where you store it.
Nylon saddle covers are a bit more expensive, but they do come in a wide variety of colours and give you the best protection available at the most reasonable price.