This page will show you just a few of the saddles made by Ted Estes.  Please view a slide show gallery of saddles made by Ted.
Here's a swellfork (Modified Associated) saddle completed just recently.  It's built on a Rick Reed tree with 94 degree quarter horse bars.  In addition, the saddle is completely made with #1 select Hermann Oak leather, carefully antiqued mahogany.  With the Hamley twist wraps, it already has that broken-in feeling.  The running "w", or serpentine, border combined with all the floral carving gives the saddle a very distinct appearance.  The rigging utilizes a #100 ring rigging by Herb Bork of Pendleton, Oregon.  This ring is a combination of a Dee and an O ring.  It's extremely strong, yet allows closer contact that a flat plate rigging.  Top it off with a set of Weber/nettles laminated stainless steel, leather lined, half covered 5" Monel stirrups and it's as durable and eye-catching of a rig as you will find on the market today!!  "I received the saddle today.  Included are two photos.  My wife on her Arab/Quarter horse and me on my TB/Quarter horse.  As both horses have high withers, we can not use a wade tree.  Therefore I was concerned about the height of the gullet.  I'm glad to say we have good clearance on both horses.  I am very impressed with the  association tree and rigging.  I'm extremely impressed with your workmanship and the leather.  This is one top notch saddle, one big horn and I love it." ~ Richard Maulding
This saddle, made for Bruce Slusher, combines a meandering border with just enough floral carving to create a nice balance. Notice the the Herb Bork number 100 rigging. This same rigging ring is on an old George Lawrence saddle I have. It's an extremely strong rigging without the weight and bulk of a flat plate rigging. As all of my saddles, the seat is flat at the pelvic bone area, and gradually rises toward the front. I keep my seats pretty narrow at the front, unless told to do otherwise by a customer. All of my customers have had very similar reactions to the comfort of the saddles as Bruce- they love it, and that's my top priority- to satisfy the customer!
(Please note that your browser must allow script to view this slideshow) "...the workmanship, balance and overall quality is excellent. Ted uses the best of everything when he makes a saddle, and this one is no exception. His workmanship and attention to detail are amazing. This saddle not only looks great, but rides and fits the horses even better than it looks. Very comfortable from day-one and just keeps getting better. The beauty and balance are second to none." Bruce says it's the most comfortable saddle he's ever ridden! ~Bruce Slusher Horsemanship~
Here's another variation of the Douglas Wade, without exposed stirrup leathers, (made for a wonderful and sweet lady in California). This one also has the number 100 ring rigging by Herb Bork, number 1 select Wickett and Craig leather, and as good of a saddle tree being made today by Rick Reed, now located in Montana. Perhaps the best overall quality of a Rick Reed tree is this- it fits the horse! The W & C leather takes a little longer to break in than Hermann Oak, in my opinion, but stands nonetheless as a premier leather in its own right. These black wades are very eye-catching when put on your favorite mounts. Notice the concho and saddle string on the half-covered stirrup, too! Built like a tank as it is (ANY and ALL of my saddles are made for continuous, heavy roping), this beauty would not at all be out of place in a parade.
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This 16 inch Wade is built on a Rick Reed tree using number 1 Wicket and Craig skirting. As you can see, it's very similar to the saddle built for horse trainer Bruce Slusher, only black. This number 100 ring rigging by Herb Bork of Pendleton, Oregon is exceptional. It has all the strength needed to rope whatever, but offers much closer contact than a flat plate rigging, (which is anything but "flat," by the way). This rigging also helps cut down on the weight, too, as that seems to be becoming more of a factor with many customers. It's a great solution for rigging if you want the strength, but not the weight. I'm getting lots of positive feedback on these black wades, as they really get you noticed on your palominos, buckskins, or whatever!
This saddle was constructed using many techniques learned directly from TCAA saddlemaker STEVE MECUM. Nothing fancy, just a work-HOSS of a saddle that extremely comfortable for both the horse and rider. Douglas "38" 'wade tree built by famous Wyoming tree maker RICK REED. 94 degree bars- will work excellent on most quarter horse type builds 16" seat- roomy Number 1 grade EXTRA HEAVY Wickett & Craig skirting- russett.  Hamley twist and wrap numbered stirrup leathers; Weber stainless steel bound stirrups on "Nettles" laminated blanks; inside is lined; Oregon cross-over rope strap; Cheyenne roll cantle; Genuine think woolskin lining; Jeremiah Watt (Horseshoe Brand) 5053 stainless steel floral rigging rings with floral SS conchos, (I had to add something to spice-it-up some!)
Here is a tough, but VERY comfortable saddle. It was built on a custom made, bullhide laced tree over yellow poplar by Bill Bean, Eagle, Idaho- laminated for added strength. 16” seat, 4" “round” cantle, 9” swells, quarter horse, 93 degree bars. WOOD POST “GUADALAJARA-SPADE” horn with a 5 1/2" finished cap! THIS IS AN EXCELLENT "FITTING" TREE ON A VARIETY OF HORSES!!! Bill Bean and Rick Reed trees are considered by many to be the BEST trees made today! I used Number 1 grade extra heavy domestic steer hide from Siegel of California leather. This leather tools and moulds as good as any out there, and it's got an excellent "feel" to it. Finished with an antique medium brown stain- beautiful! I hand tooled this saddle with a combination "mixed floral" design. It has a contoured, all leather groundseat w/ strainer (medium /high rise- narrow at front) for all-day comfort; trails, roping, ranch work, etc.
Here's a unique rig I recently completed for a repeat customer in Florida. It's built on a premium Bowden Cliff Wade tree (15 "seat) using number 1 grade Wickett and Craig leather. The stainless steel hardware is from Herb Bork of Pendleton, Oregon, and there is none better. I always line my saddles with genuine, 1" think bark tanned woolskins, and I never "piece" them, but use one full skin for each pair of saddle skirts. Personally, I've never seen a black "wade" saddle, but this is a real eye-catcher! Furthermore, I tried to keep this rig somewhat lighter in terms of weight, but still as tough as any. It turned out around 33lbs., not a bad weight at all! There are techniques that can lighten a saddle's weight, without sacrificing the quality and strength of the rig. In addition, you can see from the profile that I put some "rise" toward the front of my groundseats- without overdoing it. A few will argue for a flat seat, I expect those few don't ride all day, or care that much for comfort. My idea is to make that saddle first comfortable for the horse, and then comfortable for the rider. I expect that more black "wades" will be seen in the future, as this color will make any horse truly stand out anywhere. Whether your horse is a buckskin, black, bay, or palomino, this color goes with any of them. As you can see, I topped this one off with a fancy, full "waffle" style stamping. If you're interested in a rig similar to this one, or different for that matter, call me or drop me an email.
Here's a great, all round using saddle for sure- swellfork. This one has a beautiful "waffle" style stamping throughout, and a heavy duty "O" style rigging. It's built on a custom made Bowden Brand bullhide tree with an oversized duckbill horn. I have to admit to riding in this rig for a while before selling it. Comfortable? It's now being ridden by an individual who, beforehand, believed he HAD to have a padded seat!!! Well, he doesn't anymore! It has an attractive set of hand-laced bell stirrups to match it. My pricing for waffle stamping is the same as basket, so this rig would be priced at $2600. In addition, I used a three piece "tunnel" groundseat (with strainer) on this rig, and have been using this method ever since. My groundseats are typically best described as middle/high rise, and narrow at the front. But, I can easily modify at your request.
Here's a beauty of a rig, but don't let these looks fool you- it's built like a TANK! And, it's built on a custom made bullhide wrapped tree from BILL BEAN, (Idaho). Everything on this saddle is HEAVY DUTY, from the oversized "O" rings and hardware from Herb Bork from the extra heavy skirting leather from Wickett and Craig. It has a beautiful combination copper rose tooling with a geometric stamp and exposed stirrup leathers. Not shown are the 5" brass monel stirrups (inner lined) that come with it. Although not extremely heavy (around 40lbs), this saddle is built to withstand rugged use decade after decade, as are all my saddles. A saddle like this will be around $3000.
This working ranch saddle is also built on a Cliff Wade tree, from Bowden. Like the above rig, it has a full waffle stamp, and would cost $2600 as shown. I sold it on consignment locally, and it was gone very rapidly!
Here's a parade rig I did a few years ago- with all the accessories. It's also built on a Bowden tree using Hermann Oak leather- very nice and eye catching! This rig, without the accessories, would be $3500, and $4500 with everything shown, (minus the horse and trailer, of course!). All spots are meticulously hand-set. This one is being sported by a Mountain Pleasure gelding- Andy.
Here's a typical refurbish job on an old "Bona Allen" saddle. I do these occasionally, when time permits. This one looked ready for a trash can when brought in, but was very usable when completed.