DO YOU KNOW AN EQUINE EINSTEIN?

Is your horse a creative problem solver? Researchers in Germany would like to know more about him.

An equine behavior research group at Nuertingen-Geislingen University is gathering information on horses who exhibit “innovative behavior.” That is, behaviors the horse has created for himself—rather than having been taught—in order to solve a problem.

“Some examples have already been submitted,” says Konstanze Krueger, PhD, “such as the Friesian mare who can open the bolts on stables and feed bins. Having mastered the technique, she uses it to let herself and her friends out of their boxes, and to help herself to a tasty snack.

“There’s also the horse who uses a stick to poke out the hay that has fallen under the hay rack to provide an extra helping for himself and his mule buddy.”

Krueger and her team hope to determine if horses are more intelligent than they are typically assumed to be. Given enough examples of innovative behavior, the research group will be able to devise a scientific study to examine that question.

The group has set up a website to gather information. Participants fill out a short survey describing what the horse does and, if possible, including a photo or video of the behavior. To learn more about the study visit http://innovativebehaviour.org/en.