Horses Never Forget Human Friends

[n2doc]

Horses not only remember people who have treated them well, they also understand words better than expected, research shows.

By Jennifer Viegas | Wed Mar 17, 2010 04:58 AM ET

Human friends may come and go, but a horse could be one of your most loyal, long-term buddies if you treat it right, suggests a new study.

Horses also understand words better than expected, according to the research, and possess "excellent memories," allowing horses to not only recall their human friends after periods of separation, but also to remember complex, problem-solving strategies for ten years or more.

The bond with humans likely is an extension of horse behavior in the wild, since horses value their own horse relatives and friends, and are also open to new, non-threatening acquaintances.

"Horses maintain long-term bonds with several members of their family group, but they also interact temporarily with members of other groups when forming herds," explained Carol Sankey, who led the research, and her team.

"Equid social relationships are long-lasting and, in some cases, lifelong," added the scientists, whose paper has been accepted for publication in the journal Animal Behavior.

more

http://news.discovery.com/animals/horse-friends-memory-trainers.html

Not a surprise to anyone who has lived around horses.....

[EFerrari]

1. My mom's horse has learned that she can lie to me but not to Mom.

She never asks Mom to feed her twice but when she sees me, she begins pawing to be fed as if I'm a human snack vending machine. Which is probably how she thinks of me. lol

[ixion]

2. Horses are one of the most noble mammals, in my opinion

far more noble than humans, which rank right near the bottom on the nobility list, despite their lofty beliefs of self-import.

[Donnachaidh]

3. yup -- that is so true

When I worked with racehorses I had a mare who HATED men. She especially hated men with French Canadian accents. She'd lunge out her stall door at any poor sod who sounded french in the barn area.

She also knew and was extremely protective of her human handlers, myself included. She had a nasty rep around the track, but once she realized you weren't going to hurt her, you were her best friend.

They are wondrous souls.

[XOKCowboy]

4. Nope

Nothing like that low knicker of recognition from a horse. Even though I haven't lived on the ranch for 20 years, when I visit ol' Leroy will give that low nicker and come over for a nose and poll rub when he see's me. Now is that because I was there when he was born and helped raise him? I like to think so.

Darn I miss horses.

[tridim]

6. Poll rub?

Yes, I'm immature, and no I don't know anything about horses. :)

[XOKCowboy]

10. Top of the skull between the ears

He loves it!

[damntexdem]

5. Somewhat true of donkeys.

But elephants always remember to say 'hell, no.'

;-)

[Warpy]

7. I can believe it

Draft horses at a county fair years ago seemed to know who I was and that my pockets would be full of cut carrots for them.

They did love those carrots.

[Historic NY]

8. I miss the horse's of my youth. I worked as a YMCA wrangler...

had to feed them, wash them and sometimes Dr' them . Did it for years and the horses were always glad to see me. The older ones would surround me and nuzzle me when they saw me for the first time each year. They would respond to my voice especially those few I named. I did have a few malcontents and boy they sure knew how to try my patience. It was a 5-5 job 7 days a week.

[roguevalley]

9. horses and dogs, two of my requirements for a perfect life.