Michale Morpurgo-says horses 'stupid'!!

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2Conker

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Michael Morpurgo falls from my grace.......In The Times Saturday Review section 25.02.12, he writes a wonderful piece on how and in what way horses may communicate their sensitivity and awareness of a human’s emotional condition, and the support it can give.
He then proceeds to ruin the whole thing by: a. stating the obvious “there’s an emotional connection between humans and animals” and
b. doing what he’s accusing others of - anthropomorphising and intellectualising the relationship, labelling it ‘sentimental’ and horses very beautiful....very courageous in certain circumstances, But I think they’re rather stupid”.
I’m not sure I’d hear David Attenborough make such a comment. I suspect he would respect that each animal evolves with attributes intended for survival and reproduction. In the case of domestic animals from farm animals, to cats, dogs, parrots and horses they have been coerced into whatever humans have wished from them. Mostly ignoring their natural instincts, and it’s the animals who have made the major adjustments (dogs are very good at this!) . It’s our lack of understanding of horse communication and motivations that seems to keep this myth alive. I wonder what Martin Clunes thinks! Cheap shot Mr Morpurgo,
 
I haven't read the article so can't comment on that, but I find it hard to believe that the man who who wrote War Horse could be accused of disrespect for the equine population.

War horse was written with such an emotive understanding, and it was written from the horses point of view.

I'll judge the man on that sensitive piece of writing rather than a throw away comment he may or may not have made.

And as an afterthought, as horsemen surely we have all had moments where we think "well that really was quite stupid!" at certain behaviours our horses exhibit.
 
team barney said:
I'll judge the man on that sensitive piece of writing rather than a throw away comment he may or may not have made.

And as an afterthought, as horsemen surely we have all had moments where we think "well that really was quite stupid!" at certain behaviours our horses exhibit.
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I haven't! It's usually the human who has done something stupid or has asked a question that either can't be answered or which the horse doesn't understand.

I'm pretty appalled at his ridiculous comment. He appears to believe that humans are the superior being whilst proving that they're not.
 
2Conker said:
Michael Morpurgo falls from my grace.......In The Times Saturday Review section 25.02.12, he writes a wonderful piece on how and in what way horses may communicate their sensitivity and awareness of a human’s emotional condition, and the support it can give.
He then proceeds to ruin the whole thing by: a. stating the obvious “there’s an emotional connection between humans and animals” and
b. doing what he’s accusing others of - anthropomorphising and intellectualising the relationship, labelling it ‘sentimental’ and horses very beautiful....very courageous in certain circumstances, But I think they’re rather stupid”.
I’m not sure I’d hear David Attenborough make such a comment. I suspect he would respect that each animal evolves with attributes intended for survival and reproduction. In the case of domestic animals from farm animals, to cats, dogs, parrots and horses they have been coerced into whatever humans have wished from them. Mostly ignoring their natural instincts, and it’s the animals who have made the major adjustments (dogs are very good at this!) . It’s our lack of understanding of horse communication and motivations that seems to keep this myth alive. I wonder what Martin Clunes thinks! Cheap shot Mr Morpurgo,
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I agree with this.Mans arrogance is staggering.Our intelligence is the only one that matters according to us.
 
Think Team Barney reading the article you'd see the reason it was annoying. I am a huge admirer of the man, and War Horse the book/play-but the context of the phrase shows to me, lack of understanding and empathy. Fair enough, he's not a horseman as such I suppose, a very good writer.
 
HuntingPink said:
I haven't! It's usually the human who has done something stupid or has asked a question that either can't be answered or which the horse doesn't understand.
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I didn't make myself clear, I meant the silly things they do when we observe them in the field can sometimes appear a little inane. For example spooking for the first time at a bucket/bush/fence post that has been in their field for at least a year! I know they only do it because they want to play and have a mad 5 minutes around the field, but to an outsider it could seem a little silly/stupid.

I don't think horses are stupid in the slightest, they are in my book superior to any human!

If a horse is causing any handler/rider a problem it is always the rider/handler's fault, I wouldn't ever believe anything different and always choose trainers with the same belief - they can blame me all they like, but heaven forbid they blame my horses!!!!!
 
2Conker said:
Think Team Barney reading the article you'd see the reason it was annoying. I am a huge admirer of the man, and War Horse the book/play-but the context of the phrase shows to me, lack of understanding and empathy. Fair enough, he's not a horseman as such I suppose, a very good writer.
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I probably would feel different reading the whole article, I have tried to find it online but to no avail.

If he truly believes humanity to be superior it is very disappointing that a man who can write with such feel can hold such outdated views on animal nature.
 
Booboos; not sure you're with the discussion.....doubtless there are degrees of less intelligence within all species, including humans. The point being made within what was an otherwise enlightened piece, if you've read the article, is that horses are beautiful but stupid. Well, they dont think like humans that's for sure, does that mean they are stupid though?
 
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Team Barney, that's exactly what made me feel uncomfortable. I was a bit shocked at the statement, coming towards the end of a lovely article, and having read lots that the writer has said about horses etc. Also needless to say, the newspaper took the quote and used it as the headline "Horses are beautifil but stupid". It worked though, it got me to read it and got me going!!
 
2Conker said:
Also needless to say, the newspaper took the quote and used it as the headline "Horses are beautifil but stupid". It worked though, it got me to read it and got me going!!
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So you believe everything, absolutely, that is published in a newspaper. Not a chance that any comments could have been taken completely out of context in order to 'uphaul' the ladies of HHO or elsewhere? :rolleyes:

Intelligence/Stupidity is a deeply flawed human concept anyway, so why does it bother you so much?
 
Rhino, not the concept of stupidity that bothers me, its the ignorance of such comments-that people cant step outside of the obvious and look at things differently.

Also, I feel it's an easy way of dismissing an inability to communicate effectively saying animals are stupid. They communicate differently, and some humans have no tolerance for this, seeing it as lack of willingness etc, and on comes abuse.
You've not read it?
 
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any human that thinks horses are stupid, is in my book stupid themselves by definition, in fact i often think how very human some horses are.


to say they are stupid is a grossly wrong and insulting statement, all i can say is look again, and open your eyes
 
But they are a bit stupid really.. and they only learn and copy they dont really think for them selves.. so yeh.. they are not the brightest of fireworks.

At the end of the day they are prey animals and prey animals tend to be less intelligent and controlled by there flight or fight responses.. same with cows and sheep.. But look at pigs in comparison, they are predators and much more intellifent..

Lou x
 
Horses are only stupid if judge them by human standards and abilities they are extremely clever at the things that are important to horses.
 
Nailed said:
But they are a bit stupid really.. and they only learn and copy they dont really think for them selves.. so yeh.. they are not the brightest of fireworks.

At the end of the day they are prey animals and prey animals tend to be less intelligent and controlled by there flight or fight responses.. same with cows and sheep.. But look at pigs in comparison, they are predators and much more intellifent..

Lou x
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Personally seems pretty sensible to run if that's what you've been designed to do-and what you do best. Pigs are bright in a different way-actually if they were that bright they'd run like h.... from humans!! x
 
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