Are older horses capable of learning?
Study by the University of Pisa: Short-term memory remains strong in old age, although long-term memory declines.
Researchers at the University of Pisa investigated learning success in horses based on age. Young and older horses of various breeds completed a 3-phase learning programme, which was repeated ten days later.
The result: senior horses are indeed still capable of learning. Compared to younger horses, there were no differences in short-term memory.
Their long-term memory, however, appears to have declined. After ten days, the older horses needed significantly longer to recall what they had learned. Two were unable to do so at all. (Cellai et al., 2024)
As such, age does not mean an inability to learn. On the contrary: learning ability is retained, only retention over longer periods declines. This makes patience and repetition especially valuable with senior horses.
Source: Cellai et al., 2024
The result: senior horses are indeed still capable of learning. Compared to younger horses, there were no differences in short-term memory.
Their long-term memory, however, appears to have declined. After ten days, the older horses needed significantly longer to recall what they had learned. Two were unable to do so at all. (Cellai et al., 2024)
As such, age does not mean an inability to learn. On the contrary: learning ability is retained, only retention over longer periods declines. This makes patience and repetition especially valuable with senior horses.
Source: Cellai et al., 2024
