Elephants Aren’t The Only Ones Who Never Forget

The next time you meet a horse, know that you are making a friend for life. According to Discovery News, horses never forget a good friend. When they experience a positive relationship with a human, they remember that human later in life—even after not seeing him or her for a long period of time. They will also remain loyal to such humans.

It’s not surprising, since—also like elephants—horses form strong relationships with other horses in the wild. They have strong familial bonds, as well as keen social skills for interacting with animals from other groups, making them similar to humans in this light. Some horses even form lifetime bonds with other horses.

Researchers also say that horses have excellent memories in general. They remember people, problem-solving strategies, and other complex concepts many months after they’ve happened. In one study, horses remembered both a trainer they’d had eighth months before as well as dozens of commands she’d taught them. People who say that animals are not very intelligent are largely mistaken; so many species have aptly demonstrated their keen intelligence over the years.

In fact, according to this study, horses are considered to be no different from humans in terms of results from positive reinforcement—in this case, being rewarded with food to acquire results. And coupled with the fact that horses can hear human voices even better than dogs can, scientists say that horse trainers may have more luck if they move away from the physical aspect of training—such as using bits and pressure—and instead try this positive reinforcement method. It’s certainly worth considering—especially with horses that may have had negative experiences with cruel humans in the past, or who are simply shy or skittish around people. Research would probably find that such an approach would work much better with animals in general instead of the physical force we’re accustomed to using.

I’ve never been much of a “horse person,” though I know many people are. They are incredibly beautiful animals; I can definitely understand the appeal. Horses are often used in therapeutic programs, and it’s no wonder why when they seem to be such loving animals. The portrayal of horses throughout literature as more of a friend rather than a riding animal in myths and legends seems like it could be based on some facts, as well. Learning more about horses and their relationships with humans—particularly with indigenous tribes—would certainly be very interesting.