THE 6 WAYS HORSES LEARN

Horses are not just smart; they are learning machines. They scout for cues everywhere and soak up information. Once acquired, new knowledge sticks to a horse’s brain like superglue. If there’s a problem with equine learning, it’s that horses learn too quickly---and forget too poorly---to accommodate human errors.

In equine environments, horses remember where fresh water and grass are located, what times of year such resources are available, where the best shelter is found and how to get to it. They learn where every horse in their group ranks in the social hierarchy and know complex kin relationships and behavioral rules within an entire herd. They recognize the distinct smell of each animal in their environment, not just different species but also different individuals within a species. They recall which situations to avoid, and they don’t forget events that caused them fear.

If there’s a problem with equine learning, it’s that horses learn too quickly—and forget too poorly—to accommodate human errors.

In human environments, horses learn the sounds and sights of various car engines and horse trailers. They demonstrate their facility at either ramp loading or step-up entry. They recognize our faces, voices and clothes. They learn to associate verbal commands with specific behaviors, they know their own tack, they remember the meaning of 10,000 almost imperceptible body aids. Greet a horse you haven’t seen in 10 years, and he will remember you. For many of these feats, no instruction is needed: Just stand back and watch the flypaper of a horse’s mind capture everything that gets near it.

But when it comes to mutual performance within a horse-and-human team, animals need help. Each one is saying silently, “Please, teach me what I need to know, show me what you want.” By nature, they use their heightened sensitivity to body language in seeking the tiniest signals. They assume each one has meaning if only they can crack the