Chapter 1: Introduction to the Phenomenon

Throughout history, many pet owners have touted their animals' intelligence, ranging from simple tricks to seemingly supernatural abilities. But imagine a case from history where a horse was said to count and perform various arithmetic operations. This remarkable horse could even spell, identify calendar dates, and recognize musical compositions.

At first, you might dismiss this as mere fantasy, reminiscent of the fictional Mr. Ed. Yet, the extraordinary tale of a horse capable of such feats is true. This horse was presented at grand exhibitions, where it consistently provided correct answers to both verbal and written inquiries. Efforts to expose the horse's skills as a trick were repeatedly thwarted.

In 1904, this equine marvel was scrutinized by the German Board of Education, which conducted a thorough investigation lasting a year and a half. They concluded that no deception was at play. But could a horse truly possess such abilities? How could it do math or recognize a musical piece? The reality is more compelling than simply a horse doing sums; it delves into the realms of animal consciousness, psychology, and cognition. The case of Clever Hans also influenced future experimental methodologies.

Chapter 2: Meet Wilhelm Von Osten and His Student

In the late 19th century, a German high school teacher named Wilhelm Von Osten proposed a theory: animals might possess greater cognitive abilities than commonly acknowledged. To explore this theory, he decided to teach animals mathematics. His initial attempts with a cat and a bear were unsuccessful, but when he encountered an Arabian stallion named Hans, everything changed.

Hans was an enthusiastic learner. Von Osten was astonished when Hans learned to tap his hoof three times in response to the number three written on a chalkboard. Clearly, he had discovered a remarkable student.

As time progressed, Von Osten taught Hans various mathematical concepts, including addition, subtraction, and even square roots. Amazingly, Hans seemed to grasp these concepts, responding with the correct hoof taps. Von Osten went on to introduce the alphabet, allowing Hans to tap out letters corresponding to their position in the alphabet. He even played famous musical pieces, training Hans to identify composers by spelling their names.

After approximately four years of instruction, Hans could answer questions by tapping his foot, and he even recognized paintings and the names of their creators.

Chapter 3: Taking the Show on the Road

With such an extraordinary talent, what’s the next step? While Las Vegas was not an option in early 1900s Germany, Von Osten took Hans on a tour, hosting free public exhibitions. The horse captivated audiences across Germany, showcasing mathematical abilities comparable to a 14-year-old human, with an astounding accuracy rate of nearly 90%.

Von Osten orchestrated remarkable demonstrations that left viewers in awe. By this time, Hans could recognize colors, tell time, identify playing cards, and even remember names of people in the audience. Although the public was fascinated, skepticism loomed within the scientific community, which deemed it a hoax. How could a horse perform such tasks?

Importantly, there was one aspect that puzzled critics: Von Osten gave no cues to Hans during the questioning. Surprisingly, Hans answered correctly even without his owner present, as documented in a 1911 New York Times article.

Chapter 4: The Clever Hans Commission

The scientific community aimed to uncover the truth behind Hans’ abilities. The German Board of Education formed a commission, known as the Hans Commission, composed of zoologists, psychologists, animal trainers, teachers, and a circus manager. After a year and a half of investigation, they found no evidence of fraud, yet doubts about the horse's intelligence persisted.

In 1907, Professor Oskar Pfungst, a physiologist and biologist, examined Hans with Von Osten's consent. He discovered that Hans struggled to answer questions when the questioner was unaware of the correct answer. Pfungst then obstructed Hans from seeing the questioner's face, which led to a decline in correct answers.

What Pfungst uncovered was remarkable: Hans had an exceptional ability to read subtle cues in the questioner's facial expressions to determine when to stop tapping. For instance, if asked, "What’s the square root of 16?" Hans would tap his hoof while observing the questioner’s face, stopping when he detected a change in expression as he approached the correct number of taps.

This trick, while impressive, was still a trick nonetheless. Hans managed to respond accurately to an array of questions, including dates, colors, and names, all by interpreting involuntary signals from humans.

The first video, "Clever Hans - The Horse That Could Count | Alex in Wonderland," delves into the incredible story of Clever Hans and his unique abilities.

The second video, "(CLEVER HANS) 🐴➕ The HORSE That Learned MATHEMATICS," further explores how Clever Hans seemingly mastered arithmetic through subtle cues.

Chapter 5: The Legacy of Clever Hans

Following Pfungst’s revelations, the allure surrounding Hans diminished. Nonetheless, Von Osten’s original hypothesis about animal cognition was inadvertently validated. Hans had indeed tricked many in the scientific community while captivating large audiences across Germany. His abilities stemmed from reading the unintentional signals of the humans who questioned him.

While Hans may not have comprehended mathematics, he exemplified an extraordinary skill that humans struggled to grasp. His case illuminated a critical flaw in experimental design that needed addressing in future animal studies, leading to the phenomenon being named after him.

Tragically, Hans, like many others during World War I, met an untimely end. While he was just a horse, he could not escape the call of duty. The war claimed the lives of approximately 8 million horses, and Hans was among them, passing away in 1916.

Despite this, the legacy of Clever Hans endures, reminding us of the intricate abilities animals possess—skills that humans often overlook. Today, we could learn from Hans about the importance of observation and being present, skills he mastered to fool many so-called intelligent humans.

Thank you for joining me on this journey through the story of Clever Hans. If you enjoyed this exploration, please share it with others! And yes, the theme song from Mr. Ed has been running through my mind throughout this writing process.