Do Horses understand words?

Some trainers say No ,its body language they understand, after all ,its how they communicate among other horses. I contend they do both. Its natural to want to be able to talk to your horses and to have them understand...They can! First its important you have bonded with your horse and you have its trust.
I have had great success with mine with word response . Just to note in the old days when horses were used to plow the fields the farmer had to have both hands on the plow with the reins looped around his neck . They taught their horse to turn right by saying Gee and to turn left by saying hawh.. Body language wasn't an issue the horses out in front could barely see the farmer behind them. Verbal command was essential. Today I have taught my oldest mare to back on command , pick up her feet , & when I say go to the barn she will head to the barn on command to mention a few .. to start your horse to back, on command put your thumb into their chest pushing and say back ,they will give to the pressure and step back .. when they do, tell them Good boy and give them a pet. You may have to do this 20 times but soon they will step back when you say back with out the pressure of your thumb. Then try the foot thing ,say foot and pick up their foot start with the front right and then go to each foot do this over and over .. Soon your horse will recogniser the word foot, and will pick up their foot when they hear the word foot... Mine will pick all four feet as I approach each foot when I say foot! To get them to go to the barn upon command from the pasture lead them first to the barn and say Go to the barn! You will have to do this a number of times before they will respond alone . I also gave them a horse cookie when we reached they Barn to reinforce good behavior. Now I can walk out in the pasture and pet my horse and walk away and she will go on grazing or I can say go to the barn and she will head for the barn. The trick is to give her a treat now and then when she follows your command...Many trainers don't agree with giving rewards to horses when they display positive behavior... But I have had success with the method, in fact I carry a few horse cookies when I go trail riding and when my horses see I'm getting ready to go on a ride ,they all compete to go... I try and make the ride as pleasurable for them as it is for me... Give it a try its fun to see your horse responds to your words...