Horses can plan ahead and think strategically, scientists find

Equine scientists believe they have demonstrated a much higher degree of intelligence in horses than previously assumed. Photograph: anakondaN/Getty Images

The old English proverb “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink” has been used since the 16th century to describe the difficulty of getting someone to act in their own best interests.

Now, research by equine scientists suggests the use of this phrase has been inadvertently maligning horses for centuries.