Some folks think horses are dumb: it's true a horse has not written a major symphony, but in their way they solve problems, communicate, and figure out ways to take advantage of the people who think they are dumb.

For instance, last month I saw several horses using tools to do something. Only a few animals like chimps and some clever birds are credited with the ability to do this, but I witnessed an instance involving my favorite animal.

Two horses of my acquaintance were picking up the woody stalks of weeds in their recently-mowed pasture, and swatting the flies off their bellies with the weed-seed pods at the top end of the stalks. How's that for innovative and smart?