Old West Saddlebags 

What you showed at the end with your wife purse is so true. I used to be in the Army Infantry and carry about 100lbs in my Ranger Ruck, my wife’s purse seems to weigh about the same!

My late wife used to call it her purse of Doom one time she kept losing her reading glasses she bought a new purse and as we were emptying her old purse into the new one we found three pairs of her reading glasses

And then there was the ,,Mochila'' used by the Pony Express. It covered the whole saddle -- so it could not be removed unless the rider was off his horse. There were 4 pouches for letters, one in each corner. A hole allowed the pommel to poke thru. Some had a cut out for the back of the saddle. Some westerns about Russell, Majors & Wadell's operation have faithfully executed props, and others just skip it and use the conventional 2-sided bags.

There was a time where I owned a pair of saddlebags like those. But I rode an iron horse (motorcycle) instead of a real horse. Never the less, I secured the saddlebags to the motorcycle as though it were a real horse. What could possibly go wrong? Well, as it turns out, it seems that a motorcycle can go faster than a horse. (Who'da thunk it?) As a result, the saddlebags wound up flapping wildly in the wind as I sped on down the trail (so to speak). A learning experience for sure. So then I bought a bigger "iron horse", a Harley-Davidson with permanently mounted leather saddlebags. Problem solved, right? Wrong. Moisture would accumulate inside the saddlebags, which would then result in mold eventually growing inside the saddlebags. Then what? Well, I traded in that bike on an even bigger Harley-Davidson geezer glide, (a Road Glide Custom) which had rigid saddlebags and a waterproof gaskets to keep water out. Problem solved... so long as you don't put anything wet into them.

Always love a movie with a cowboy at night crossing the range. No pack animal. But at campfire had a coffee pot and a frying pan plus plate but during the day riding only showed a small bed roll and average size saddlebag. Plus all the other things you mentioned that goes into one. Reminds me of what goes into your wifes purse.

I look forward to these every Saturday!

I'm not a cowboy, but I do plenty of solo camping trips using only pre-19th century equipment and clothing, many of which extend beyond into the two-week range. One of the things my wife commented on when we first met was how much oil/fat and beeswax there was on all of the gear and clothing. I'd not really noticed it, being used to that for years, but I imagine that folks who spent most of their time traveling by horse or foot out West back then might have had a similar relationship with those or other substances for water resistance.

Thanks for the historical accuracy, even on the clip with Custer and Sitting Bull. Shout out to the Arizona Ghostriders!🤠👍

That cutlery was great.

Love the humor and handsome saddlebags :) Have a great weekend

I lost it when I saw the magic 8 ball! Brilliant!

Thank you so much for all your hard work, research ,clever editing ,and a delivering information in an interesting way I hope you know how much you’re appreciatedI’m not sure how long I’ve been subscribed at least over a year I start out in California as fate would have itI now reside in Arizona which makes these episodes even more endearing

How did they carry water? Maybe that would make for a good episode..

Santee and the Arizona Ghoust Riders a White Woods Buffalo was sighted in the Delta Herd today. The local tribe loves it and so does the local residences in the local area. I contacted our Fish & Wildlife and requested that it will be protected and no hunting licence issued for this young calf. This was just approved by our Govenor moments after I contacted Fish & Wildlife. The calf appears to be several months old. We got a very rare buffalo and I hope that you guys and gals like this news. My best wishes to all of you.

You always seem to make my day. I actually remembered that you posted today, and I jumped outta bed to come and watch your awesome videos. Thanks for awesome and cool content. Your Trail Buddy... Morgan

Great as Ever !!!!!

As always I enjoy and learn.....thanks

As always nice one, I still carry one daily, don’t like things in my pockets weighting them down (old age). Carry everything from my “45” to my wallet, phone knife and med’s (most important). Actually have several in different sizes and colors depending on were and what I’m doing.👍🏼🤠. Have a great weekend.🤪

Nice video those were the days . ☮️❤️

LOVED IT!!!

Lol they definitely came in handy I kept a thermos of coffee.needles and thread to treat my dogs etc..and my smokes 😂😂saves using pockets on yah coat another amazing video mate

A holster on the bag is a new one for me.it beats digging around the bag when you need the backup gun quick.

Looks like our wives have similar purse problems. LOL!! Another great video!

Dad said once mom was an old saddle bag.🤣🤣 Love all the HISTORY. KEEP up the great education.

Funny and informative! Always Good stuff on your channel!

Good video thanks for sharing

Very amazing video well done and I love listening to your videos as I am blind and I am a white cane long cane user

"What did they carry in saddlebags"? Whatever they needed for a short trip!

Very very interesting thanks for sharing my friend 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

Great video Santee

You know I think I found your chanel through this video that's kind of cool....

Nice!! Santee good to see another great show! this one is really good! Tell Arizona Red I said hello please, I really appreciate the post card from you guys.

Great episode Santee. On saddlebags. I do not own a horse! Or even a motorcycle that runs. But I do have a saddle bag. I have a saddle bag full of gold!

I will Sioux !!! ha ha ha ha.... good morning Cheese!!!!! great vid as always!!!

Thanks For Sharing This Outstanding Vdo 👍 Have A Beautiful Weekend 😊

Funny. In the movies they rarely pack but every day carry would include several cans of food, a couple boxes of ammo, fork, spoon, plate, coffee mug, coffee pot, coffee, (pot), flour, sugar, pouch of jerky, bacon, chewin' baccy, first aid kit, spare rope, about 20-50 pounds of oats for the "mount", matches (we don need no stinkin matches....!), wrist irons if a lawman, farrier supplies, wire cutters, spare horse shoes, gun oil and cleaning supplies, well, you get the picture. In the westerns, with the 15-shot 6 shooters, they always had about 180 pounds of supplies that they always carried in those back-of-saddle bags. You rarely, if ever, see pommel bags. Sometimes they'll have a tent in there, too.

great vid as always ......

Comparing a saddle bag to a woman's purse is funny, and sadly accurate. Hahaha

Equine fanny pack lol ... I have a pair of the US cavalry saddle bags I used them until about 15 years ago when I found out how much they are worth now they hang in my office.. Had a copy made of them but they just didn't hold up bush wacking around following these hounds ... I have some now made from a materiel that is pretty tough .. One think that needs to be mentioned is a lot of these modern saddle bags are huge and people try to carry to much weight in them .. don't want to carry to much over your horses or mules kidneys .. anymore I have just started taking a pack mule .. Thanks Santee ..

saw this a bit ago and rewatched it. how about one on the labels for the sacks in the saddle bag?

Ok, I gotta ask. Whats with the T-Rex, LMAO!!

love you guys so funny and lots of wisdom i have learned from you guys i also am a western geek keep it up.

Great information and great entertainment along the trail! You could use that as your slogan, but of course I would Sioux! 😉

This was an interesting video, I'm always interested in how people kit out. Incidentally, a video on possibles bags would be interesting as well.

Wife another name for horse. Mount, old bag, walks around carrying a large bag. Your on a roll ! Santee.

I found a cool new channel to sub and watch. This is like a movie, excellent.

When would they have done the stereotypical bedroll sleeping out in the open camping? And if it started raining what would they have done?

Good stuff. My son need some for his bike.

Finding the chap stick in the handbag....hahaha The struggle is real...lol

I love your video

Just glad it is about old west saddlebags and not old hag saddlebags. :)

On a roll ...I see what ya did there!!

Could you do a breakdown of a typical cowboy equipment (personal and horse) with cost at time of purchase any now? Thanks City slicker

Sleeping on the job Santee??!! Maybe i should have sent the dinosaur to wake you!😃😃😃 you should hear me laughing as you went through the hand bag to get the chap stick!😂😂😂

4:11 that was a funny voice crack at "subscrAhbe" 😁I hope it was some hot medicinal tea in that cup, Sir☕️

This brings me to a question I always ask myself when I watch a western film. The heroes ride long distances for weeks or days, but have hardly any luggage. They have saddlebags, but they don't look heavily packed. Plus a thin blanket. But no cooking utensils, no jacket, no change of clothes. But when they arrive in El Dorado, they are clean, not a bit sweaty, not a speck of dust. Okay, Hollywood. But what did such trips actually look like? Or did they hardly exist at all?

Lol, "equine fanny packs" this is the only way I will refer to saddle bags from now on!!

Didn't you find a kit hen sink in there? I'm willing to bet my life there was enough room for one!

Hey Santee could you give me a few pointers on how to get saddlebags like yours... or the ones at the beginning o the video of the guy being held up.

I like the videos about old west horse stuff , how about saddles and bridles?

Huh,I figured they'd probably carried vitals in them another word for food santee. But good to know thanks for the information

I remember when my mom would have me hunt down something in her purse for her while she was driving...there's a reason I still call a woman's purse a 'bottomless pit'....so many little pockets in that one she used...

The purse ending is so true.

Love this channel. I learn a lot. What are the dimensions of the bags you have?

Ha ha "take your hands from my sadlebags or i....goin to do something different from general Custer" lol always learning from the ghostriders.

You know in seven decades of watching westerns you almost never see what guys put in these things. In Hombre they held Newnanz dirty laundry!!!! A woman's purs is a universe into itself

I like the clip of the movie toomstone. One of my favorite movies. Laughing at you trying to find something in your wife sadlelbag. Thanks for putting out such wonderful content my friend. Belle'.

Saddlebags ARE HUGE, I thought they were manly pocket purses

Do one (if not done all ready) on types and calibers of rifles and pistols.

Hi Santee, how about one on old west saddlemakers, and maybe barbers, iam a saddlemaker, just intrested in what you can find out👍

Hi Santee! Great videos, I love them! Could you do one on Old West Horses?

That sue thing cracked me up

Santee, I have a question about two types of horses. My question is what is the difference between a Hammerhead and Blue roan?

coffee but no coffee pot, that's like being in hell.

Even when my wife asks for something out of her purse, I bring her the purse

How about a video on clothing? Did they pack an extra set of underwear or shirt? Also curious about the vests we see in all the Hollywood movies. Were they for fashion or practicality? did their bedrolls contain rain slickers or ground cloths?

Western are always hilarious you see him riding and he has nothing with him he stops for the night has got a coffee pot saucers silverware everything he needs food things out of that one little tiny saddle bag

I have western type saddle bags on my Harley 20 dollars at a flea market 👍 i couldnt pass them up...cowboys had same kinda stuff i carry grub guns ammo tools

Can you make a video about old west raincoats?

Mary Poppins wants her bag back.

👍🤗

Hahaha I think I need a ghost to shoot a gun in the morning to wake me up xD The alarm just doesn't cut it anymore! Wow didn't know there were so many different kinds of saddlebags. So cool! LOLOL the chapstick :D It always manages to evade us!

Do a tour of your town

A cayous is a wild or crazy horse. You certainly wouldn’t want to ride one.

“Why don’t you cry about it SADDLE BAGS?” - Ace Ventura

Where would they carry a small coffee pot? Or did they just use the cup to make coffee?

Like me looking through my wife's purse...how do they find anything?

What about reloading supplies. I've got a WINCHESTER .44WCF reloading tool. That, plus primers, powder, and lead would take up some room. I suspect cowboys didn't pack these neccesities. Maybe the four wheeled mobile chef took care of the camp's ammo supplies.

What do they carry in the boots on the back of stagecoaches

You can make an alarm clock out of that shot gun.

I guess the answer then is, anything that you might need and that can fit

I wonder if a ceramic plate would be carried in a salldebag back then . I'd imagine a tin or pewter plate would be a better choice . Cutting food on a ceramic plate dulls your knife quickly , but tin and pewter are softer than knife steel . I wouldn't let my best friend use my knife to cut a steak on a ceramic plate . Besides , I reckon the missus would get madder than a wet hen if her fella rode off and left her China set missing a piece . Was there an equivalent of a military mess kit back in the Old West days ? How about making a video about canteens and water containers in the Old West ?

Like the vids could you do 1 about the children of the west

What saddle bags do you have there?

Arizona Ghostriders Good video#113.

That looks like my wife's purse it weighed about 20 pounds. She did have a Colt Combat Commander in 45ACP with spare magazines in it so.

I’ve owned many saddles through the years but never a set of saddlebags! Don’t know why just never did! Great video

Don't know if you remember the old song SHE CAN'T FIND HER KEYS

I have a spare bandanna, a multitool, bug repellent, bug bite meds, fire maker, length of string and rope. Compass, hoof pick, gloves, stampede string, manual flashlight and sunglasses. And a collection of miscellaneous B/S.

Can't believe you didn't have coffee