What happens if her stupid horse doesn't win?

[LWolf]

21. Actually, horses are reasonably intelligent

in the domains they need. I've always, for example, relied on my horse to communicate the relative safety or security of a route on the trail. They usually know better than I if there is a snake under a bush, or if it's a bad spot in the river to cross, or if a steep slope is unstable, or if there are predators in the area.

Unfortunately, they are also able to measure distance; it's not uncommon for a disgruntled horse who doesn't respect a rider to drift under branches hanging low enough to knock them off.

They DO tell time; ask anyone who takes care of them. Mine know exactly when it's feeding time. They're surprised if I'm early, and indignant if I'm late.

They read body language and energy much better than most people, and much of their behavior is based on that reading.

A different language, a different kind of reading, math, time, etc..