The Counting Horse

Curious Cases

BBC

Science

4.8 • 4.1K Ratings

🗓️ 2 June 2016

⏱️ 16 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

"Can horses count?" asks retired primary school teacher, Lesley Marr.

Our scientific sleuths consider the case of Clever Hans, with a spectacular re-enactment of a 20th century spectacle. Plus, we hear from Dr Claudia Uller who has been conducting modern studies on equine counting.

Mathematician Prof Marcus Du Sautoy explains the basic concept of counting to Adam, and Hannah looks across the animal kingdom to find the cleverest mathematical creature.

If you have any questions you'd like the duo to investigate, please email curiouscases@bbc.co.uk

Presenters: Hannah Fry, Adam Rutherford Producer: Michelle Martin.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Ladies and gentlemen of the Academy, for your consideration,
0:04.4	today's curious case of the counting horse,
0:08.3	featuring Adam Rutherford as a horse.
0:11.9	Yes, it was my debut performance in an equine role,
0:16.1	and I've taken inspiration from such famous film horses
0:19.0	as that one from Blazing Saddles.
0:21.7	Black beauty? Black beauty, of course,
0:24.2	and other horses.
0:26.4	Horse with Spirits?
0:27.8	Was there a horse in that?
0:28.8	I don't know, I'm seeing it.
0:30.0	Horses on film, though, generally.
0:32.1	There have been a lot, and if I could just take a moment
0:35.6	to compose myself...
0:38.1	Yeah, very, very.
0:39.9	I thank you, thank you.
0:40.9	That was remarkable. That was remarkable.
0:42.8	Thank you.
0:44.2	I'd like to thank various people.
0:46.0	It's just so believe... I mean, I believe that I was there
0:48.2	in the Stables with you.
0:49.5	Yes.
	...

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