Who rides without a numnah/ saddle cloth?

[Bedford Joy]

I am having my Prestige saddle widened to fit my Argie polo pony and I was wondering if anyone rode without a numnah? Is the purpose of a numnah to protect the saddle from the horses swear or does it serve another purpose?
What are people's opinions on riding with just saddle?

 

[Bedford Joy]

Horses sweat .. Blooming iPhone !!

 

[ticker]

always ride with a numnah, saddle fits well but pony is a bloody odd shape so numnah helps pad it out. Although it protects our eye watering expensive saddle that i'd cry if it was coated in sweaty pony goo.

 

[9tails]

I've always got something between the saddle and the horse, sometimes a thin saddlecloth and other times a sheepskin halfpad. Sure you CAN ride without a numnah but why would you want to clean and condition the leather every time? Sweat leaves ugly marks on leather.

 

[pansymouse]

My saddle has a serge lining so a saddle protector of some sort is vital - I use as Courtlea sheepskin numnah custom made for the saddle.

 

[Bedford Joy]

Thank you everyone. What is a Serge lining? Is that synthetic?

 

[Pigeon]

Mine's a little cold backed, so in the winter I put the numnah on a few minutes to warm up before I put the saddle on, so he's not getting cold leather plonked on his back!

Also keeps saddle clean. AND you can get them in pretty colours.

 

[khalswitz]

Another one with serge panels (I don't think it's synthetic but don't quote me - its a very old school material just making a resurgence in saddle making, much warmer and softer but collects hair!!) so numnah to keep saddle clean, for matchy potential, and for my dressage saddle because it needs some padding to fit...

 

[sbloom]

Sweat will damage both the leather (or serge, which is a coarse fabric) and the flocking.