[equestriandynam]

Interesting find about our equine companions brains, but really.. when you think about it, we knew it all along...
The average adult human brain is around 44-46oz or 1,300-1,400 grams. (around 3lbs)
The average size of a horses brain is around 23oz, roughly HALF of what ours is.
Now the limbic system of the brain deals with emotions, survival insticts, and basically is the 'seat of learning.'
Well despite our larger brain would you believe that this area of the horses brain is roughly the same size as ours??? Indeed it is.
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http://biology.about.com/gi/dynamic/...r%2Dlimbic.htm
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"Then brain of a horse is comprised mostly of a limbic system. Emotions generated by the limbic system provides a mammal with the ability to sense the inner states and motives of other mammals around him (Amini, Lannon, Lewis 2001).
The horse's limbic system, which conducts emotionality and the ability to read intent in others, explains how the horse reacts appropriately to ignite an interaction that brings up a person's unresolved issues. In the field of equine assisted learning it is often explained how the horse will mirror back to the person whatever the person presents to the horse"

So in the emotional sense they have pretty much all the capabilities we do, just in a smaller package.
Now the neocortex of the human brain (dealing with thinking, imagining, planning and talking) is over twice the size of our equines. So in short we were made to be more mental and analytical, planning tomorrow, thinking of what we need from the grocery, daydreaming not being at work, and telling eachother what we think of paris hilton.. Horses more or less are 'in the moment' and we fit together like puzzle pieces.
But this may explain why horses are pretty much just as emotional as people. And why we can say 'horses are people too'
We know they get sad, moody, depressed, jealous, inquisitive, happy, scared, angry, exstatic, worried, resentful, fearful, competitive, and frustrated. Just like us. wow.

[sorrell]

that's cool, so I think I am more horse than human!!! Moody mare syndrome...

[equestriandynam]

lol yeah it was a pretty interesting read i think. People say we humanize horses and we do, but we can't exactly 'animalize' them either.
I like when people say 'horses are stupid'
Because then i just say 'They mirror their riders/owners'
it makes them pause for a bit...

[shaiarabs]

Originally Posted by equestriandynam

I like when people say 'horses are stupid'
Because then i just say 'They mirror their riders/owners'
it makes them pause for a bit...

agree completely with this statement, one of my old horsemen employers once said 'If you wish to know the person look to how the are with their animals and how the animals are with them'

[Reitpferde]

Frankly, I think horses are a lot smarter than we are....

[equestriandynam]

Originally Posted by Reitpferde

Frankly, I think horses are a lot smarter than we are....

i agree with that. i think our superior neocortex works against us sometimes.