DEVELOPING HORSE SENSE : YOUTHS LEARN TO RIDE, CARE FOR THEIR MOUNTS AT 2-WEEK DAY CAMP.

Byline: Sherry Joe Crosby Daily News Staff Writer

Hair flying and arms akimbo, Tania Ozarek-Smyth cantered down the arena and around a barrel before charging back to her cheering teammates.

A grin of triumph flashing across her face, the pony-tailed teen-ager reached down to pat her mount.

``When we canter, it's like flying,'' said Tania, one of 15 youngsters attending an equestrian day camp at Don-E-Brook Farms in Saugus.

For two weeks, children get horses of their own and all the responsibilities. They learn how to pick out horses' feet, groom and bathe their new companions, and, of course, ride.

``They learn the whole process,'' said Liz Farinella, farm owner and riding instructor. ``They learn the safe way. There are no shortcuts with horses.''

That means learning how to walk, trot, canter and safely tie their horses. Riders are divided by ability into groups of eight to 10. They can can learn how to ride English, western and gymkhana, which involves games on horseback such as pole-bending and barrel racing.

Tina Realley chose western riding with its wide, deep saddles with easy-to-grab pommels.

``It's more comfortable for me,'' said the 13-year-old Valencia girl as she sat astride a brown-speckled gray horse. ``I like animals a lot and it's just fun.''

That seems be the general attitude at the camp, which also includes an arts and crafts session, trail riding, snacks and swim-and-ride party.

To help Farinella oversee the beginners, a group of teen-age counselors guide the students through their lessons, helping them tack up and ride.

``That was so good,'' said Nicole Slamer, one of five camp counselors, as she watched a girl successfully canter without allowing her horse to break into a trot.

Teaching riders to maintain their balance while keeping their heels down and shoulders back is not easy, said Slamer, who's been riding for several years.

``Once they can stay balanced then you'll see a lot of improvement,'' said the 16-year-old counselor from Valencia.

Besides learning how to walk, trot and canter on their horses, students said they learn responsibility, self-confidence and respect for their four-legged partners.

``It's like a pet,'' said Daniel Fortman, 11, of Saugus. ``If you don't take care of it, it'll die.''

``Just the way they learn to treat the horse carries off into the rest of their life,'' Farinella said.

Enrolling in the summer camp, which costs $270 for a two-week session, is a good way for beginners to find out if they like horseback riding, organizers said.

``It's a good starting point because you ride every day for two weeks,'' said Christine Kelly, a 15-year-old counselor from Valencia.

Michael Reder already is hooked. The 11-year-old Saugus lad fell in love with horses the first moment he saw them.

``I saw the people, I saw the horses and I wanted to ride,'' he said.

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3 Photos

Photo: (1--color) Emily Lenenberg, 10, feeds her mount a t Don-E-Brook Farms equestrian camp. Campers learn to care for their horses as well as ride.

(2--color) Don-E-Brook Farms owner Liz Farinella unsaddles a camp horse.

(3--color) Liz Farinella shouts out instructions to her equestrian students. Campers get a choice of learning to ride English, western or gymkhana styles.

Shaun Dyer/Special to the Daily News