Intelligence and learning

Studies have indicated that horses perform a number of cognitive tasks on a dail
y basis, meeting mental challenges that include food procurement and identificat
ion of individuals within a social system. They also have good spatial discrimin
ation abilities.[91] Studies have assessed equine intelligence in areas such as
problem solving, speed of learning, and memory. Horses excel at simple learning,
but also are able to use more advanced cognitive abilities that involve categor
ization and concept learning. They can learn using habituation, desensitization,
classical conditioning, and operant conditioning, and positive and negative rei
nforcement.[91] One study has indicated that horses can differentiate between "m
ore or less" if the quantity involved is less than four.[92]
Domesticated horses may face greater mental challenges than wild horses, because
they live in artificial environments that prevent instinctive behavior whilst a
lso learning tasks that are not natural.[91] Horses are animals of habit that re
spond well to regimentation, and respond best when the same routines and techniq
ues are used consistently. One trainer believes that "intelligent" horses are re
flections of intelligent trainers who effectively use response conditioning tech
niques and positive reinforcement to train in the style that best fits with an i
ndividual animal's natural inclinations.[93]