Not even close.
Horses, even among other equines, ride the short bus.
Which is why they were ridden into war. You try to ride a donkey into battle and he is going to high tail it in the opposite direction. HIS momma didn't raise the dumb ones.
But you were asking what the difference is. It is the movie industry. How many movies are there out there where the horse is the star or at least in a strong supporting role?
How many movies are there out there where the cow is the star?
There you go.
Reminds me of the age old question: ‘Why are there always more horses a$$es than there are horses?”
Understood, but I grew up near “Elsie the Cow” and so cows have a special place in my heart (and stomach). For what its worth, this poll ranks horses at No. 15 on the smarts list: https://list25.com/25-most-intelligent-animals-on-earth/3/
Bovines are smarter than horses. Oxen won’t allow themselves to be worked to death like the horse in GWTW.
A farmer was overcome with carbon monoxide inside his barn. A cow butted her way through the closed doors & nudged & rolled him toward fresh air where he revived.
(She would live out her days)