Riding High in Saddle this Fourth of July

The big green barn with lots of horses meandering around it on Market Avenue close to Schneider Road in North Canton has been a staple in the landscape since 1926, according to the current business owners, Jim and Connie Wenger.

While the three to four acres of land plus buildings have been used for livestock or horses going on 85 years, the Wengers have only been operating Creaking Willow Stable for the past six years.

The Wengers have 15 horses and ponies of their own that make the stables their home along with several horses being boarded. In addition to boarding, the business offers horseback riding lessons as well as lessons on how to groom and care for horses, pony rides and the big favorite, pony parties.

“We have taken our pony parties to homes, parks, churches, the Humane Society and we used to do Aultman’s Health Fair,” Jim Wenger said.

“For the parties, we provide different size ponies and all the gear, such as the saddles. Then one of us will lead the pony while the kids ride it.”

While any age is invited to ride one of the ponies or one of the horses, Jim said safety always comes first; so if someone is a bit small or a little afraid, the parent is asked to walk alongside.

“We gave riding lessons to someone in their 60s a while ago. She was planning a trip out to the western part of the country and she had never ridden a horse,” Jim said.

Riders can pick from spotted ponies, Appaloosa style, full-size quarter horses or a pony named Bobby — who just happens to be the smallest pony there with a patch of white on his forehead on an otherwise all-red body and mane. Those wanting to hire the ponies for a party should know that many of the ponies like ice cream and cake and will partake in the party food at every chance, Connie Wenger said.

The horses and ponies are completely comfortable around children and adults and other animals, including Alpacas. At a recent children’s fun fair for a local day care center, the Wengers' ponies spotted a group of Alpacas in a fenced area on display for people to meet and pet and just had to go over and touch noses with those Alpacas before they continued carrying kids on rides.

Horses have become a family affair for the Wengers. Jim and Connie both grew up around horses. Their two daughters, two sons and a number of grandchildren also got into riding and taking care of horses.

“I grew up on a dairy farm and my dad always had Belgian horses," Jim said. "Plus, Connie’s grandfather had horses. When my kids got into horses, everything mushroomed from there and we decided to start Creaking Willow. Horses are kind of like potato chips, you can’t just have one.”

There is a 60-foot-by-100-foot indoor arena in the back of the barn so that those taking riding lessons can ride indoors on those oh-so-many days here in Ohio that the weather is not fit for riding outside.

Creaking Willow offers pony rides once a month and for the month of July, they will offer pony rides from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Monday, Juy 4. No reservation is needed and the cost is $5. Plus, there will be free popcorn.

The Creaking Willow Stable is located on the corner of Market Avenue and Hunting Valley Street NW in North Canton. For more information, call 330-418-1695.