Last checked October 2026
The terms overlap and usage varies by discipline and region. Broadly: a square or saddle pad is square-cut and sits under the saddle, a numnah is shaped to follow the saddle's outline and is usually padded or sheepskin-lined, and in racing a saddlecloth is typically the number cloth worn under the weight cloth. For embroidery, squares give the most usable area and take a crest best; numnahs have less flat space and need the mark placed to avoid the saddle flap.
Few bits of terminology cause more confusion when ordering, partly because racing, showjumping, dressage and showing all use the words slightly differently. Here is what people generally mean, and what it changes about embroidery.
Key takeaways
- Square: square-cut, most area, easiest to embroider well
- Numnah: shaped to the saddle, less flat space, placement matters more
- In racing, saddlecloth usually means the number cloth
- Rear corner is the default placement on anything square-cut
- Sheepskin and heavily padded pieces are harder to stitch cleanly
- Order the shape your riders already use rather than the one that embroiders best
What is the difference?
| Term | What it usually means | Embroidery notes |
|---|---|---|
| Square / saddle pad | Square-cut cloth under the saddle | Most area, cleanest result, rear corner placement |
| Numnah | Shaped to follow the saddle outline, often padded or sheepskin-lined | Less flat area; mark must clear the saddle flap |
| Saddlecloth (racing) | Usually the number cloth worn under the weight cloth | Often supplied by the racecourse; yard versions for schooling |
| Exercise sheet | Covers the quarters while ridden | Large area, excellent for a crest |
| Half pad / riser | Corrective padding under the saddle | Rarely embroidered, little visible area |
Usage genuinely varies. Some yards call everything a numnah, some call everything a saddlecloth, and nobody is wrong exactly. If you are ordering, describe the shape or send a photograph rather than relying on the word.
Which should you order?
Order whatever shape your riders already use. A yard that switches to squares because they embroider better will have riders who dislike them, and kit that does not get used is the most expensive kit there is.
If you have a free choice — for schooling kit, team kit or anything bought specifically to be seen — a square gives the most area and the cleanest result.
Where does the mark go?
Standard placements
- Rear corner on a square — the default, visible from behind and in photographs
- Both rear corners for anything photographed from either side
- Lower rear on a numnah, clear of where the saddle flap sits
- Front corner occasionally, though it is largely hidden by the rider's leg
On a shaped numnah the usable area is smaller than it looks, because the saddle and the rider's leg cover more of it than people expect. A mark that works on a square often needs reducing for a numnah.
Fabric matters
Quilted cotton and technical fabrics stitch cleanly. Sheepskin and heavily padded pieces are harder — the pile obscures fine detail, so marks need to be bolder and simpler than they would be on a flat cloth.
If your colours include fine stripes or small devices, see why hoops, chevrons and halved colours fail in embroidery before ordering.
Rowley & Bowes makes saddlecloths, numnahs, paddock sheets and rugs for yards and studs around Newmarket. Send a photograph of what your riders currently use and we will match the shape rather than guess from the word.
Ordering saddlecloths for the season?
Send a photograph of the shape you use and your colours in whatever form you have them.
Send an enquiryFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between a numnah and a saddlecloth?
A numnah is shaped to follow the outline of the saddle and is usually padded or sheepskin-lined. A saddlecloth or square is square-cut and sits under the saddle with more of its area visible. In racing, saddlecloth more often refers to the number cloth specifically. Usage varies between yards and disciplines, so describing the shape beats relying on the word.
Which saddle pad shape is best for embroidery?
A square, because it gives the largest flat area and the rear corner stays visible under the saddle and the rider's leg. Shaped numnahs have less usable space than they appear to, so a mark often needs reducing. That said, order the shape your riders actually use, since kit nobody wants to use is wasted money.
Can sheepskin numnahs be embroidered?
Yes, but the pile obscures fine detail, so designs need to be bolder and simpler than on a flat quilted cloth. Small text and thin lines disappear into the wool. If your mark relies on fine detail, it is worth having a simplified version drawn specifically for sheepskin alongside the standard one.
Where should a crest be placed on a saddlecloth?
The rear corner is standard, because it remains visible with the saddle and rider in place and photographs well from behind. Both rear corners suit anything seen from either side. Front corners are largely covered by the rider's leg, and on shaped numnahs the mark needs to sit low and clear of the saddle flap.
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