Abstract

Because the horse is of great interest to me, and has played an important role in the formation of this country I chose to write on equine evolution. Beginning with the Eohippus, or Dawn Horse, the gradual changes that took place in the equine family are explained. The first section of the paper describes each of the four main stages of equine development: Eohippus, Mesohippus, Merychippus and Equus caballus. From there the body of the horse is broken into three parts: the head, the back, and the legs and hooves. Each of these chapters tells how each specific area changed, why it changed, and what purpose it serves (if any) in today's horse. Part two explains the reintroduction of the horse into America, the formation of breeds and how human intervention in breeding can cause damage to Equus caballus.