Researchers in Norway have made it possible for 23 horses to communicate with humans, using sign and symbols boards to express their requirements and they are absolutely loving it.
We wish to know exactly what the needs of our pets are. All their fuss and bad mood might be related to their needs. Only finding about it can alleviate their distress. Yes, we can understand if a dog needs to go outside or if a cat needs to be fed through their actions. How about the other pets? What about their needs? For example, will we understand if a horse tries to communicate that it is too cold and need to be warmed up?
This is where the researchers at Norwegian University OF Life Sciences have made their breakthrough. They have successful made it possible for the group of 23 horses they worked with, living in 2 separate stables in Norway, to communicate with us. Each and every one who has worked with horses will know how intelligent and clever they are. In fact, they even understand what we want from them and act accordingly. Now, here is our chance to better understand the desires of a horse.
The horses were trained for ten to fifteen minutes per day by the researches to grasp the meanings of 3 different symbols. And after 11 days, the lot of them were able to identify the meaning: Blanket off, blanket on, and no change. The amazing part of this exchange is not that they were able to comprehend the signs and put that into work. Rather, it is the complete thought process that is involved in it. “I am cold, I want a blanket on, so I will point out the “blanket on” symbol to get a blanket around me”.
From the researchers we have:
Under various weather conditions, the response of each horse was tested. The results obtained proved that the choices made or the symbol chosen was in no way random. In fact, it was dependent on the weather. They chose blankets when the climate was windy, cold and wet and chose to remove their blanket in good weather. In addition to learning to communicate through symbols, this shows their complete comprehension of the consequences of choices of their thermal comfort.
Given below are the test results of 22 of the steeds. The steeds were not tested on the same day and the test was conducted on two days of every weather type. (you can also find some amusement in the Norwegian naming of the horses) .
The amazing thing is that once they understood the researches are acting on their needs, i.e, they could successfully express themselves, the horses were quite eager about it. “when the horses realized they wishes were heard regarding blankets, i.e they found out their ablity to communicate with their trainers, they became quite eager in the testing and training arena.”, the researchers wrote. “Some horses also tried to divert attention of trainers to themselves, by running towards trainers, following their movements and vocalizing.”
Imagine the world we may someday live in, where we can teach all animals and birds to express their desires. Not a practical idea, but good thought material nonetheless. It will be certainly harder for us to ignore them if they can tell us the do’s and do not’s.
At least now we know the needs of 23 horses regarding blankets on cold days, along with our daily companies who meow and bark with meaning for their needs.
This is sad on how cold it is