With so many stories describing enthusiastic reunions between horses that had been separated for years, it’s tempting to believe that they must remember past companions. But scientific evidence for long-term individual recognition in horses is lacking. | Photo: iStock

Q.I recently hauled my horse into a boarding stable to ride. He’d never been there before, but there was one horse he saw and cried to, and they both got very excited, whinnying and calling to each other. I could swear by how they acted they could be old friends, and it got me wondering if they had met in the past. Is it possible for a horse to remember old acquaintances and herdmates?

—Via e-mail

A.With so many stories describing enthusiastic reunions between horses that had been separated for years, it’s tempting to believe that they must remember past companions. But scientific evidence for long-term individual recognition in horses is lacking, so the answer to your question is “maybe.” Here’s what we do