Callie Menut shares her experiences and insights from her work with elite horses, emphasizing the importance of building strong mental and physical capacities in horses through adapted and varied training, as well as a respectful approach.

Callie, what are the biggest challenges you face when training horses at an elite level?

1. Dealing with the highs and lows

– I tend to be a perfectionist, and I love horses… And it feels like we often face challenges with these animals—not always the best combo, haha! I heard in the past, I think from Laura Kraut, that you should try to balance your emotions and avoid extreme highs and lows. I find this very difficult, but also a good guideline to have.

2. Adapting to each horse

– On a more practical note, I think the challenge is to adapt to each horse. I have ridden a few top-level horses now, and I find it fascinating that despite how different they all are, they can all compete at the same level, and they all have their chance of winning. We try to have them evolve at their very own “top,” which is why it's important to adapt and see what works and what doesn't with each of them.

3. Building a strong mentality and physical capacity

– With that being said, they of course need to have certain natural abilities. But they also need the stamina, and the physical and mental health, to comfortably achieve what we ask from them. Varying their training, whether on different surfaces or working on different things, is crucial. It allows you to give their body a complete workout, have them ready for any situation in the ring, and be fit and happy for their whole career.

How do you handle the challenges?

– When it comes to adapting to each unique horse, I believe that if you let them, horses develop a huge personality. They will let you know what they like or don’t like! One of our top horses, for example, used to be a bit scared to go on hacks and would turn around. But I knew he would do anything for food! So, instead of forcing him (a battle I would have lost for sure), I let him eat grass as soon as he got anxious and wanted to spin around and block. He is now our best hacker and loves to go on hacks (even if we stop for grass only once on the hack). 

“I believe that If you let them, horses develop a huge personality.”

– Callie Menut

– Another one of our top horses is one of the most talented horses I have ever ridden. But, like the super-smart kid in the classroom, he gets bored very quickly. I used to have to challenge him daily with different exercises to avoid him being against me or even dangerous. Over the past few months, we have worked on reaching an agreement between us. I don’t always have to find the most difficult thing for him to do; instead, I focus on reassuring and relaxing him so that he doesn’t overexert his body. I now enjoy lunging him quietly or riding him in a chill and easy way. 

– To manage building a strong mentality and physical capacity, I try to work in a smart way. I would say I am on the lighter side, when talking about the way of riding, and I like to have light horses. It doesn't matter if it’s a small, big, stiff, supple, lazy, or hot horse! Having them “with me” and focused on the job allows them to relax and use their full potential. Using strength to impose what you want is not only something I dislike from an emotional point of view, but it also doesn’t make any sense to me. Horses weigh 500-600 kg and are sensitive enough to feel a fly on their skin. We are trying to have them use their natural abilities to jump over wooden sticks as fast as possible, and in my mind, using strength will only take some of their power and scope away. If you make it fun for them and have their body healthy and fit for the task, I think you are more likely to be a winning combination. But first and foremost, have a good time with the animal you love.