Editing Horse (section)

===Intelligence and learning===
Studies have indicated that horses perform a number of [[Cognition|cognitive]] tasks on a daily basis, meeting mental challenges that include [[foraging|food procurement]] and identification of individuals within a [[Social structure|social system]]. They also have good [[Spatial visualization ability|spatial discrimination]] abilities.<ref name=Hanggi>{{cite web |url=http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/features/horseintelligence-119.shtml |title=Understanding horse intelligence |author=Clarkson, Neil |date=2007-04-16 |access-date=2008-09-16 |website=Horsetalk 2007 |publisher=Horsetalk |archive-date=2013-01-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124164951/http://horsetalk.co.nz/2012/10/11/understanding-horse-intelligence/ |url-status=live }}</ref> They are naturally curious and apt to investigate things they have not seen before.<ref>{{Cite book |title=True horsemanship through feel |last=Dorrance |first=Bill |publisher=The Lion Press|year=1999|isbn=1-58574-321-6|location=Guilford, CT |pages=1}}</ref> 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 [[categorization]] and [[concept learning]]. They can learn using [[habituation]], [[Desensitization (psychology)|desensitization]], [[classical conditioning]], [[operant conditioning]], and positive and negative [[reinforcement]].<ref name=Hanggi/> One study has indicated that horses can differentiate between "more or less" if the quantity involved is less than four.<ref name="count">{{cite web |url=http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=15396 |title=Horses Demonstrate Ability to Count in New Study |author=Lesté-Lasserre, Christa |access-date=2009-12-06 |website=The Horse |archive-date=2016-01-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101025607/http://www.thehorse.com/articles/24628/horses-demonstrate-ability-to-count-in-new-study |url-status=live }}</ref>

Domesticated horses may face greater mental challenges than wild horses, because they live in artificial environments that prevent [[instinct]]ive behavior whilst also learning tasks that are not natural.<ref name=Hanggi/> Horses are animals of [[habit]] that respond well to regimentation, and respond best when the same routines and techniques are used consistently. One trainer believes that "intelligent" horses are reflections of intelligent trainers who effectively use response conditioning techniques and positive reinforcement to train in the style that best fits with an individual animal's natural inclinations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/nicanor/archive/2008/06/17/equine-iq-what-big-brown-couldn-t-tell-you-and-mr-ed-kept-to-himself.aspx |title=What Big Brown Couldn't Tell You and Mr. Ed Kept to Himself (part 1) |author=Coarse, Jim |date=2008-06-17 |access-date=2008-09-16 |website=The Blood Horse |archive-date=2012-05-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120521084441/http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/nicanor/archive/2008/06/17/equine-iq-what-big-brown-couldn-t-tell-you-and-mr-ed-kept-to-himself.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>