HORSE RIDE

Local harness maker, Brad Funk, spent Family Day at work but he’s not complaining.

Families took advantage of the sunny skies Monday and flocked to the Cameco Family Day Skating Party at Meewasin Rink. In addition to lacing up the skates, parents and kids could take a quick ride around the park on a horse-drawn sleigh. The StarPhoenix caught up with local harness-maker Brad Funk, who owns and drives the team of 11-yearold, 18 hand-high half-sister Percherons Lady and Babe.

How did you get into harness making?

“I’ve been a leather crafter since I was a kid and I love horses. I decided one day, many years ago, to buy myself some tools and equipment and start doing it, and now I make harnesses for the four Western provinces.”

What do you enjoy about it?

“I don’t have to go to work for somebody. And the creativity, there’s a certain amount of artistry.”

How did you start giving sleigh rides?

“I think it’s ironic — I did it because I love horses, but I wind up dealing with thousands of people! So yeah, I did it to help me feed my horses, that’s basically what it is.”

How long have they been doing this?

“I’ve owned them for seven years, and they’ve been doing it for me since then. Before that, they were doing chores for a fellow up north.”

What makes them wellsuited to the job?

“Percherons are high-energy horses, they’re game. They also need to be sensible in a crowd and traffic, and crazy city situations.”

So they don’t mind kids running around?

“They’ll tolerate kids. But the point is, they don’t panic in any situation.”

How many rides do you think you’ll do in a day?

“Ooh, it’s a short ride, and I know we’re going to have a crowd. It’s only about a sixminute (ride) and we’re out here for four hours, so I’ll let you do the math. Fours hours is a long day — the horses will have actually been away from feed and water for 10 hours by the time they get home.”

What’s the reaction from the kids?

“The parents like to expose their kids to something like this, which is kind of nice, you know? It’s not virtual, it’s real.”

RICHARD MARJAN/The StarPhoenix Family Day in Kinsmen Park on Monday in Saskatoon included horse-drawn sleigh ridesand a skating party at Meewasin Rink.