History of the Horse
Evolution of the HorseEohippus
Earliest ancestor to our present horse
Small primitive horse about the size of a fox
Elongated skull, arched back, shortened tail, four functional toes on front feet, and three toes on hind feet
54 million years old
Eohippus
Evolution of the HorseMesohippus
Appeared when grasslands formed
Larger than Eohippus, teeth further evolved, three toes on front feet, better suited to out run enemies
Lateral supporting toes decreased in size middle toe increased in strength
35million years old
Became extinct about 7 million years ago
Evolution of the HorseMerychippus
Evolved in North America
Adapted to the hard grasses of the plains
Beginning of the grazing horse of today
Size: 35in., gregarious and lived in herds
developed grinding teeth similar to present day horse, lateral toes disappeared, middle toe thickened and hardened
20 million years old
Evolution of the HorsePliohippus
First true monodactyl (one-toed animal)
Teeth and limbs were the closest to present-day horse
Spread into S. America, Asia, Europe, and Africa
5 million years old
8,000 year ago Equus became extinct in the Western Hemisphere and did not return until the Spanish brought horses in 1400’s
Evolution of the HorseFour Trends in the Line of Descent
Reduction in the number of toes
Increase in the size of the cheek teeth
Lengthening of the face
Increase in body size
Evolving along with the modern horse were other species of Equus I.e. donkeys, onager, and zebras
Evolution of the Horse
Przewalski Horse
Rediscovered in Mongolia in 1879
Wild horse who maintained itself in Europe and Asia during 60 million years of evolution
Small, heavily built, and yellowish colored with an erect mane
Przewalski horse has 66 Chromosomes and the domestic horse has 64
Uses of the Horse and Inventions
Early uses of horses transformed:
Travel
Warfare
Economics
Culture
Social Organization
Political Boundaries
Languages
1. What species of Equus is considered to be the first monodactyl?
2. Reduction in number of toes, lengthening of the face and increase in body size are considered what?
3. This species was said to be the size of a fox.
4. This species lived 54 million years ago.
5. What species is said to be 5 million old?
6. What was the 2nd species we covered in class?
History of the Horse Quiz 1
7. What was the 3rd species we covered?
8. List 4 out of the 7 uses for horses.
9. What horse was rediscovered in 1879?
10. What was the difference in chromosomes between the horse in #9, versus the modern day horse?
History of the Horse Quiz 1
Uses of the Horse and Inventions
Egyptians
1680 BC Dynasty of Shepherd Kind
Invention of chariot
Replaced Asses
Egyptians had a large responsibility for the spread of domesticated horse
100BC Greece
Siege of Troy
Developed the snaffle bit
Uses of the Horse and InventionsRome
Invented the curved bitHorses used in the invasion of Britain 55BC520-632 AD Mohammed
Arabs began to use horsesWild horses of Asia (now extinct) gave rise to the Arabian, Barb, and TurkThe Thoroughbred originated from these stocks.
Horses in the United States1492 Columbus arrived in America
No horses since 8000 years earlier, before Indians
1493 Columbus brought horses back on second voyage to West IndiesConquistadors took horses from W.I. to S. America and Mexico1539 de Soto brought first horses into what is now U.S.Most Wild horses and Indian horses came from the Spanish Missions
Horses in the United States1600’s Indians began riding horsesHow did horses change the Indians “way of life”?Colonist brought work horses from EuropeHow were horses used in “Colonial Life”?Plantation owners wanted smooth, comfortable horses to ride. Horse racing became popular about this time
1730, plantation owners started importing English racehorses
Horses in the United States
1750 to 1850 Conestoga wagons were the major means of moving freightCattle ranching became popular, horses became an important method of working cattle.1861 Mail Service “Pony Express” began
Only operated for 18 monthsUsed during warsArmy maintained horses until WWII
Growth and Decline of Horses in the U. S.
“Golden Age” of horse extended from the1890’s to the mechanization of Agriculture.
During this time everyone loved and respected the horse for its invaluableness
1900- automobiles were a rich man’s means of transportation
Growth and Decline of Horses in the U. S.
1908- Henry Ford produced a car for $825
Trucks, tractors, and improved highways soon followed
The number of horse in the U.S. increased until 1915
What was once a necessity to every American’s everyday life is now used for mostly recreation and sport
Growth and Decline of US Horse Production
0
5
10
15
20
25
1900 1915 1935 1960 1977 1988
Horses
Automobilesand Tractors
AssignmentCreate a time line from the beginning of the Equus to the modern day horse. Include 2 facts for each of the era’s (Mesohippus, Eohippus, etc) we covered.
Use a sheet of computer paper to complete the assignment.
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