Early in the 20th century, word of an extraordinary horse named ‘Clever Hans’ travelled around Europe, causing a wave of wonder and intrigue. Under the guidance of Wilhelm von Osten, this horse prodigy seemed to have an extraordinary aptitude for doing intricate mathematical sums.
Hans seemed to have the mental capacity of a young child because he could multiply, subtract, add, and even tell time. But the real story behind Hans’s exceptional powers was significantly more interesting than first believed.
The horse and the illusion of intelligence
Clever Hans gave incredibly captivating performances. He seemed to understand the questions asked of him since he could correctly tap out solutions to mathematical problems with his hoof! The horse’s intelligence astounded the world and was credited with an intelligence never before observed in an animal.
When Hans was asked a question by his trainer (who knew the answer), his accuracy was 89 percent! Nevertheless, this illusion would soon be shattered by a psychologist named Oskar Pfungst who observed that Hans was reacting to the small cues his trainer’s body language relayed to him, rather than actually being able to carry out the intricate calculations himself.
Unaware that he was even doing so, von Osten gave Hans visual clues through subtle physical behaviours that directed the horse’s actions. The horse had become highly skilled at interpreting these signs and gave the appearance of being able to calculate mathematics!
Pfungst found that when Hans was questioned and could not see the questioner his accuracy dropped to six percent, and when asked the question by someone who did not know the answer, he never got it right.
The real intelligence of animals
Even though Clever Hans’s talents were not to do with numbers, the whole scenario brought to light an important facet of animal intelligence; their extraordinary ability to perceive and react to their surroundings, other animals and people and their highly evolved sensitivity.
While their measurable mental ‘intelligence’ may not be comparable humans, dolphins, pigs, apes, and horses (and most other animals) possess a high degree of emotional intelligence and are perceptive to even very subtle body language cues. When attempting to measure non-human intelligence we should consider whether or not it would be intelligent for a horse to be a master mathematician if there were no natural time or place to exercise this skill for any kind of purpose that benefited him.
Nonetheless, when considering how we are keeping animals in captivity, being aware of the depth of their experience as well as their particular intelligence should encourage us to provide, at the very least, more individualised and more complex environments for them to live in, if we genuinely want them to cope as best they can with captivity. Are we doing everything we can to offer them the kind of refuge we mean to or are we just putting them in a box as if they were a thing?
The Captive Animal Enrichment Project (CAEP) works to enhance the lives of animals living in captivity by offering enrichment that stimulates healthy, natural behaviours, alleviates boredom and allows animals to forage for that which they require. We improve their environments so that they are more enriching and in understanding behaviour and non-human intelligence we work to develop adaptations to their surroundings that address and prioritise these, and in so doing devote ourselves to a more comprehensive version of care.
Animals are expert communicators
All animals are highly skilled communicators. To engage with their surroundings and with one another, they employ a complex range of cues, such as body language, vocalisations and scent markers. Fostering the most positive interactions we can between humans and animals requires an understanding of these communication networks.
The genuine welfare of animals kept in captivity relies on an understanding of both animal behaviour and intelligence. Animal caregivers should take into account the cognitive abilities and social requirements of animals to build captive environments that are more interesting and enriching. This reduces stress and encourages natural behaviours in captive animals, which in turn improves their physical and mental well-being.
Our mission at CAEP is to advance animal well-being in welfare facilities in South Africa. We develop strategies that excite the bodies and brains of animals in ethical sanctuaries and ethical welfare organisations. We love the story of Clever Hans because it demonstrates animal intelligence, sensitivity and the depth of connection to humans.
By understanding the subtle cues and complex communication systems used by animals, we can develop deeper connections with them and build a more compassionate world. We’re always looking for volunteers and support to make our vision a reality. Please contact us today if you’d like to donate or get involved.
Main image © Brittanica
