TEST THREE: Attention and Environmental Learning
Bring something with which the horse is not familiar into the test area while the horse is not looking or is led away. If the horse notices and starts to explore the object (I used different buckets NOT employed in Test 2) in 15 seconds or less, score 5; in 15-30 seconds, score 4; in 30-60 seconds, score 3. If it looks around for a few seconds but does not explore, score 2. If it does not notice the new item, score 1. If it turns away or makes no effort explore, score 0.

TEST THREE (Alternate): Morgan Attention and Environmental Learning
After the second test, the Morgan became fixated on any new object brought into his view (no measurable time between sighting a new bucket and trying to flip it over), so I made the test more elaborate. I used three buckets in a line, two of which were identical and one that was very different (black rubber tub). While the horse is led so he cannot see the buckets, place treats under the 2 identical buckets. Bring the horse back and let him see you fiddle with the treat under ONE of the identical buckets, then let him go inspect them. Score as above, except that if the horse looks under BOTH identical buckets (recognition of a category of objects), score 6. If the horse inspects all objects and gets both tidbits, score 7. Note: The Morgan not only got both tidbits, but when there was no snack under the third bucket, he picked it up and threw it (this is on video, so I have proof). I am undecided as to whether or not to subtract points for "attitude."

TEST FOUR: Horse's Head Under Towel (Problem Solving)
A large bath towel is smoothly placed over the horse's head, after the animal has been rubbed with it and has had a chance to smell it. Do not surprise the animal by bringing the towel suddenly into view: let the horse see what you are doing. Cover the head and ears completely. A head-shy horse may not be able to do this test. Do NOT do anything unsafe! If the horse frees itself in 15 seconds or less, score 5; in 15-30 seconds, score 4; in 30-60 seconds, score 3; in 1-2 minutes, score 2. If it still has the towel on its head after 2 minutes, score 1. A head-shy horse will score 0, so you may want to make a proportional adjustment in its final score on the test.

TEST FIVE: Social Learning
Walk about 8 feet away and stare at your horse for 5 seconds, then grin theatrically. (The sport horse, who likes to be next to people, just stayed glued to me and so was a "false positive" on this test: he could not be tested on noticing facial expressions). If the horse hesitates (waits until you grin) and comes to you in 15 seconds or less, score 5; in 15-30 seconds, score 4; in 30-60 seconds, score 3. If it pricks its ears and looks at you, but does not come, score 2. If it stays facing you after a minute, score 1. If it turns away score 0.

TEST SIX: Food Under Towel (Problem Solving)
A small piece of paper or washcloth is theatrically placed over a treat (a quarter of an apple is best because the horse can smell and feel it). Horses have larger heads and different placing of the eyes than dogs, so place the treat where the horse can get it by stretching its head down. It will have to switch sensory modes from visual (eyes are more to the side than a dog's eyes) to smell and touch to get the treat under the washcloth. If the horse retrieves the treat in 15 seconds or less, score 5; in 15-30 seconds, score 4; in 30-60 seconds, in 1-2 minutes, score 3. If it tries but gives up, score 2. If it stands and looks at you, score 1. If it turns away score 0. Use good sense in handling the materials of this test. You may want to tie a string to a corner of the rag or paper in case the horse tries to eat the whole setup.

TEST SEVEN: Short Term Memory (follow immediately with test 8)
A treat with minimal smell is used for this test (a carrot is OK). The horse should watch you place the treat under a bucket with exaggerated motions. Allow the animal to be interested in the bucket for a few seconds, then lead it away at least 40 feet and walk it in a circle for at least 40 seconds. Bring it back to within 8 feet of the bucket and unclip the lead rope (presumably you are doing this in a paddock!). If the horse goes directly to the snack under the bucket and gets it in 5 seconds or less, score 5; in 45 seconds or less with a systematic search, score 4; in less than 45 seconds with a haphazard search, score 3. If it tries but gives up, score 2. If it stands and looks at you, score 1. If it turns away score 0.

TEST EIGHT: Long Term Memory
The setup is identical to Test 7. The treat under the bucket is placed in a different location in the paddock. Allow the animal to be interested in the bucket for a few seconds, then lead it away at least 40 feet and wait 5 minutes. Bring it back to within 8 feet of the bucket and unclip the lead rope (presumably you are doing this in a paddock!). If the horse goes directly to the snack under the bucket and gets it in 5 seconds or less, score 5; if the horse goes to the spot used in Test 7, then goes to the bucket, score 4. If the horse gets the treat with a systematic search in 45 seconds, score 3; in less than 45 seconds with a haphazard search, score 2. If it tries but gives up, score 1. If it turns away score 0.

TEST NINE: Retrieving From Under Barrier (Problem Solving)
Make a ledge that can be used to hide a treat by placing a light piece of plywood (about 3-4' by 1.5-2') on a couple of tires (or other sturdy support about 8 inches high). Allow the horse to see you place half an apple under the ledge close to the edge, then let it sniff the treat. If the horse tries three ways to get the snack (picks up the board with teeth, shoves it with nose, paws it off), score 5; if the horse uses any two of the techniques, score 4. If the horse gets the treat with any one of the techniques, score 3; if it knocks the board onto the treat and can't figure out how to get the snack, score 2. If it tries but gives up, score 1. If it turns away score 0.

TEST TEN: Language "Comprehension"
In the tone of voice you use to call your horse to come (or if you don't do this, use the tone of voice for an affectionate nickname), say an unfamiliar word. I used "refrigerator." If the horse comes within a minute, score 4. If the horse shows responsiveness but does not come, score 3. If the horse comes when its name/nickname is called, score 2. If it is responsive to its name but does not come, score 1. If the horse come whether or not you call it, score 0 (this is a test for words, not whether or not your critter likes you!).

TEST ELEVEN: Process of Learning
This test has two stages and may take the longest time to give. The first stage is a set of training trials for a skill not usually taught to horses (or dogs). The second stage is the performance of the skill. Scoring takes into account how fast the animal learns, whether in the training or performance segments of the test. Be alert for novel behaviors. My Morgan had it all figured out by the second training trial, the third he was annoyed because he already understood what was wanted. My sport horse (a master at conservation of energy), stretched his head and neck around to the new position after seven trials, neatly summarizing a way to do the test without having to move his body. I have tried to write the test and scoring to allow you to make the appropriate observations with your particular horse.

Phase 1: Use the voice command "front" as you lead the horse forward a few steps and turn it to face you while patting your thigh. Reward with a small tidbit after each trial (use good sense about the reward if your horse is inclined to nip). You may have up to 15 trials.

Phase 2: After the first three trials, wait a few seconds to allow the horse to see if the animal begins to comply. This may take 10-12 minutes, depending on the horse.

Scoring: If the animal begins to perform the skill (goes several steps, turns and faces you, even if messily), score 5. If the horse completes the movements after 15 trials, score 4. If the horse responds by moving its head toward your pocket with tthe tidbits, score 3. If it shows any response, such as shifting its feet, score 2. If it keeps its attention on you, score 1. If it ignores you, score 0.

TEST TWELVE: Going Around Barrier (Problem Solving)
This test (see diagram below) requires that the animal move away from a treat it wants. Set up a jump or use a convenient fence with a gate to bar the horse from its snack (half apple or chunks of carrot in a shallow bucket). Give the horse time to sniff the treats in the bucket, then theatrically place the bucket across the barrier just out of reach and well away from the gate or barrier end point. If the animal goes around the barrier in 15 seconds or less and gets the snack, score 5; if it gets the snack in 15-30 seconds, score 4. If the horse tries to take the barrier apart (one of the test horses - another sport horse - did just that), score 3. If it leans over the barrier and looks longingly at the bucket, then gives up, score 2. If it wanders around the barrier and forgets to go to the bucket, score 1. If it ignores the test, score 0.