I think animals are cognitively capable of a lot even if they aren't capable of language.
There was a stupid article in The Guardian claiming that race horses had no idea they were running a race and, having my wife run a riding academy, I just can't believe that. Horses are very competitive and very attuned to social hierarchies. Horses can hear the roar of the crowd and sense the emotions involved. Horses know that one horse gets singled out and paraded at the winner's circle and very much know if they satisfied you or let you down. (e.g. the first time I fell off a horse the horse seemed more shook up and than I and acted particularly contrite.)
There was a stupid article in The Guardian claiming that race horses had no idea they were running a race and, having my wife run a riding academy, I just can't believe that. Horses are very competitive and very attuned to social hierarchies. Horses can hear the roar of the crowd and sense the emotions involved. Horses know that one horse gets singled out and paraded at the winner's circle and very much know if they satisfied you or let you down. (e.g. the first time I fell off a horse the horse seemed more shook up and than I and acted particularly contrite.)