While many attempt to just extrapolate human brain function to horses, or use Grandin, since she is autistic, as an expert, there is some actual scientific documentation on the Intellectual equine. The field is young, as compared to dogs, not that much study has been done on the horse, far as brain function Dr Stephen Peters,, who has made it his life's work to study the brain, as a board certified neuropsycholgist, teamed up with Martin Black, a lifetime horseman, who worked with some of the best, Tom Dorrance, Ray Hunt, Gene lewis,Tom Marvel, his grandfather Albert Black and uncle Paul Black
Together they formed Evidence-Based Horsemanship
Horses have two progressive layers to their brains, while humans have three
The first layer(reptilian, consisting of the brain stem and cerebellum), is concerned with survival, digestion,reproduction, breathing, circulation and
the 'flight or fight instinct
The second layer, the limbic system, involves emotion and memory and concerns itself with primitive activities related to sex, food and bonding
The second layer is also connected to agreeable and disagreeable experiences
The third layer, which horses don't have is the neocortex, and language , speech and writing are all possible in the human because
of this layer
The human brain can be compared to the horse's brain as functioning the same at the first two levels. Higher functioning areas of the brain do not exist for the horse
Anyway, here are some links and perhaps books to read on the subject of horses and intellect
Evidence-Based Horsemanship
Together they formed Evidence-Based Horsemanship
Horses have two progressive layers to their brains, while humans have three
The first layer(reptilian, consisting of the brain stem and cerebellum), is concerned with survival, digestion,reproduction, breathing, circulation and
the 'flight or fight instinct
The second layer, the limbic system, involves emotion and memory and concerns itself with primitive activities related to sex, food and bonding
The second layer is also connected to agreeable and disagreeable experiences
The third layer, which horses don't have is the neocortex, and language , speech and writing are all possible in the human because
of this layer
The human brain can be compared to the horse's brain as functioning the same at the first two levels. Higher functioning areas of the brain do not exist for the horse
Anyway, here are some links and perhaps books to read on the subject of horses and intellect
Evidence-Based Horsemanship