also: あんじょく
noun
saddlecloth; numnah
A cloth or pad placed under a saddle to protect the horse's back and absorb sweat. Numnah is a specific type of saddle pad.
乗馬の前に鞍敷を馬の背に置く。
Before riding, place the saddlecloth on the horse's back.
この鞍敷は汗をよく吸収する。
This saddlecloth absorbs sweat well.
鞍 is the saddle itself, while 鞍敷 is the cloth or pad placed under it.
Compound of 鞍 (くら, 'saddle') and 敷き (しき, 'spreading, laying'), from 敷く (しく, 'to spread'). The spelling 鞍褥 uses 褥 (じょく, 'mattress, cushion') and has the on'yomi reading あんじょく.