Dr. Giulia Ragonese, with the Department of Veterinary Sciences at the University of Messina in Italy, has shown that horses can recognize 2D images of their own species. Dogs, cows, sheep and monkeys can also identify their own species in images. 

Ragonese showed 10 Franches-Montagnes horses images of other horses, pigs, donkeys, cows and sheep. Food was first hidden behind the images of the horses, then the test was reversed and food was put behind the images of other animals. The horses had to push the correct photo to find the food behind the image. 

The scientists found that 80 percent of horses were able to distinguish horse faces from the others – including donkeys. However, they were unable to distinguish cows, pigs, sheep and donkeys from one another.  

Ragonese said that this information offers insight into how the equine brain works, which is beneficial for equine welfare. 

Read more at The Horse. 

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