The horse classes are among the most popular at the Royal Welsh

According to one breeder and an animal behaviourist, there is some evidence that they do.

Eric Davies, of Maesmynach Stud, Cribyn, near Lampeter, has been breeding Welsh Cobs for decades.

As he prepares his animals for the Royal Welsh Show next week, he is convinced they understand they are performing in front of cheering crowds at the agricultural showpiece.

The more experienced the cob, the more it realises where and why it's going somewhere. Welsh Cob breeder, Eric Davies

He has more than 100 of them and regularly shows.

But animal behaviourist, Dr Sebastian McBride, of the Institute of Rural Sciences at Aberystwyth University, is more cynical.

"There's little doubt horses react differently at competitions compared to their normal environment," he said.

"Whether they've grasped the idea of competition and understand it in the way humans do, it's hard to say.

"Anecdotally, people say horses know they are taking them to shows and the animal reacts differently when it is there.

Groomed

"It may be that visual and oral stimulation from the breeder may encourage the horse and that's why it behaves differently."

Dr McBride, who has been studying horses since 1993, added: "It may be that horses remember being fed or groomed more when they attend shows and that's why they act differently.

"That depends a lot on the experience of the horse."

A Welsh Cob at the Royal Welsh Show

Mr Davies is confident that his cobs know what they are doing.

"They certainly know they're competing," he said.

"They know when a certain bridle is put on where they're going.

"The more experienced the cob, the more they realise where and why they're going somewhere.

"They're creatures of habit and will know when they're going hunting and will know when they're going to the show."

Mr Davies added: "If it's the show, the ears will be up and they will be bright and lively.

"We give them a shampoo and it could be that which triggers their memory.

"If it's hunting, they'll be so excited that they'll be unable to eat the night before.