Horse intelligence. Warning contentious

[0ldmare]

Today a vet told me that its a 'fact' that horses are no more intelligent than chickens. (Though how you scientifically measure that I am not sure!

) Has anyone ever heard this?

Personally I think its a wind up (although they were deadly serious) but then again I have to say I don't truthfully think horses are the brain boxes of the animal kingdom (much as I love and adore them!) but the comparison does depress me a little.

The OP made the point about just how long it takes to train a horse to do a few simple dressage movements. When you think about it cantering a circle or doing a shoulder in are not the most complex thing in the world....

Views?

 

[Nailed]

Horses are prey animals, and because of this they are generally less intelligence.. there one aim in life, is to not get eaten.

Where as a dog/cat/tiger/humans are all preadators and are generally more intelligent as ther aim in life is to catch prey, by any means possible!!!

So i think the vet is not far wrong.

Lou x

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

Hmmm....if you met the chooks on our yard I would say they are probably more intelligent than the horses!!

They don't spook at half a ton of horse and yet the horses spook at them all the time

- you would think they would get used to them - I mean they make enough bloody noise!!!

 

[NeilM]

When I began riding my OH told me to regard all horses like 5 year old children, I think she has it about right, especially their sense of self preservation and humour.

I would like to see anyone train a chicken to do anything, let alone move to voice command (well, other than BOO).

 

[f_s_]

I sometimes call my horses "walnut brain"!!! and sometimes I'm not far wrong!!!!

 

[Flame_]

How intelligent are chickens?

 

[0ldmare]

I like your logic Nailed. Maybe he is right after all (although I am sure my old mare is at least as clever as a pidgeon on a good day)

 

[milliepops]

[ QUOTE ]
I sometimes call my horses "walnut brain"!!! and sometimes I'm not far wrong!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

pmsl

might add that to the list of silly nicknames now!

 

[cariad]

Has anyone ever trained a chicken to do a flying change or a shoulder-in? Or is that evidence that they're actually more intelligent than horses in that they think, now why on earth would I want to do a shoulder-in? With someone on my back?

 

[lauraandjack]

My chickens come to call every time. More than my damn horse will do!

 

[martlin]

My chickens are very clever, it can't be said about my horses though...

 

[OldGit]

[****] have long suspected my horse is brighter than me. Guess i'll have to watch out for thanksgiving - oh no that's turkeys - phew!!!!

 

[Chestnuttymare]

there was a 'test the nation' for animals a few years ago. They had dogs, cats, horses, parrots and a few others, the had to perform certain tasks and work things out and the horse beat the others hands down.
My 2 are smart cookies.

 

[diggerbez]

[ QUOTE ]
there was a 'test the nation' for animals a few years ago. They had dogs, cats, horses, parrots and a few others, the had to perform certain tasks and work things out and the horse beat the others hands down.
My 2 are smart cookies.

[/ QUOTE ]

or could you argue that they lack the intelligence to not do as they are told?

its a bit like that cats and dogs film where the dogs were obedient and loyal (but a little less than sharpest tool in box) whereas cats were geniuses with no respect for mankind!

 

[Tnavas]

Horse can learn to do circles really quick - it's doing them with balance and suppleness that takes longer!

If my horse is not intelligent then how does he know when the electric fence unit is turned off - It's in a shed 5 acres away so he can't possibly hear it! The little **** pulls the plastic tops off the posts the moment it's turned off.