Lukas the Horse Smart like Humans

Karen Murdoch a psychiatric nurse  reveals her story  about Lukas's transformation and the impeccable bond Karen and Lukas share with each other. Lukas  who was once chucked out as a loser for life has been   showered with  care , patience and Karen's  hands on professional experienced guidance to be touted  as the smartest horse in the world. Their love for each other has been the basic foundation of this tale of transformation.

So begins the extraordinary account of Karen Murdock and her horse Lukas. In 2002, when she purchased the nine-year-old chestnut gelding, a former racehorse and now a sorely neglected yard animal, neither   they had any idea how both their lives would   soon be changed   forever. At   the time, Murdock who    worked as a psychiatric nurse handling mentally ill patients. Using her experience as a neglected child herself, and the employing the traits of patience, appreciation, kindness, compassion, and humor she used in her work, she eventually formed a deep bond with her horse and trained Lukas to perform many tricks. Today, Lukas is being billed as the “World’s Smartest Horse”. What Karen has done with Lukas is truly remarkable. Often Thoroughbreds are thought of as ‘throw away’...Karen was able to take a horse long past the years when someone would think him ‘useful’ and allowed his personality and intelligence to shine.

Lukas a 17 year old thoroughbred gelding in Chino Hills, Calif., was trained by his owner Karen Murdoch, to master 35 amazing feats. Lukas could count and discern   different shapes   and could be the only animal of his kind to have shown such a high mental attribute. If this was not enough Lukas is trained to spell his name and Karen’s name. Karen’s husband pays for Lukas’s food and stable expenses and was keen Lukas learnt his name   too. Lukas   learnt   it too thus reciprocating the favour. Spelling which has been the sole   monopoly skill of humans for ages is rare   or can we say nil in animals. But Lucas proved he is definitely an animal genius. His remarkable ability to get a grip of spellings   has been truly amazing. He also knows the difference between objects that are same   and those that are different. H e also knows   those that are bigger and smaller than others. Lukas can also detect if something is found missing an attribute which was   found only in primates and parrots. He can also be a good actor too. Lukas   could trick others  by pretending to be lame. He could nod   his head to signify yes and shale it to express no.

Lukas ran three races as a two year old before bowing   both his front tendons which had him leave the race track. He had several owners   changed before being neglected  and emaciated   in the backyard.  At that time Lukas  was in a pitiable condition when Karen actually bought him. Lukas under Karen’s care now has his opinions, is sensitive, observant, empathetic. Lukas in his new job as a spokeshorse would show of his skills thus encouraging horse lovers   to adopt young mounts cast off by the racing industry. 

Murdoch feels she has possibly thought her pet animal almost every trick and is running out of tricks to actually teach him. But she has great knowledge plans for her smart   student. She plans to teach him some Math in the form of few additions and subtraction.

Bravo to trainer Karen Murdoch and intelligent Horse Lukas.

The smartest horse was set by Lukas  who has grasped 35 amazing feats from his owner  Nurse Karen Murdoch at Chino Hills, California, United States of America on April 15, 2010.