Community Chat

[raspberrygal]

This cow in Austria uses a brush to scratch herself.  The farmer says she's been doing this for years.  Who would have thought?

[We rescue cats]

Good job, Bessie!!!

[on the bay]

So sweet! I love her blissful expression!

[meallen616]

[Bonkers1]

Holy cow!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kitty Galore]

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@Bonkers1 wrote:

Holy cow!!!!!!!!!!!!

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🙀

[Kalli]

Until I started visiting a farm for riding lessons, I didn't give enough credit to animals for their ability to problem solve. 

I have an older spotted saddle horse.  He's the horse I bought when I was first learning. I got him based on his laid back attitude and general "laziness" when it comes to reacting to stuff going on around him.  He's kept me safe out on the trail for almost 20 yrs. 

A few years ago he was grazing at the lower end of a large pasture.  He's lazy and never pays attention to anyone who enters all the way up at the gate so we often leave that gate open when we enter to do something quickly. My friend's husband went in to get wood. He checked first, saw my horse not paying attention as usual, peacefully grazing facing away toward the fence. So her husband left the gate open and went to load the wheel barrow. Not more than a few seconds later he hears a sound and turns around just in time to see my old horse racing through the open gate.  Horse stops just outside the gate, looks back and almost seems to be laughing. Then he promptly started grabbing large mouthfuls of grass as fast as he could like he knew he'd only get a few seconds to graze on that lush grass before being sent back into the pasture.  

[CamilleP]

What was really facinating was that she had previously only used sticks, but the researchers watching her gave her a push broom, and she not only figured out how to use it, but which end to use where.  She would use the rough bristles on her back, sides or hips, but on her tummy, where the skin was thinner, she'd turn the broom around and use the round end of the handle, so she didn't tear the more delicate skin.  

So now we know that cows can use tools.  Octopii and African Grey Parrots play practical jokes on their keepers.  Elephants try on hats and look at themselves in the mirror to decide which one they want to wear.  I think it is way past time to bury the term "dumb animal" forever!