The diagrams illustrate the development of the horse over a period of 40 million years, showing changes in both body size and foot structure.
Overall, it is clear that the horse gradually evolved from a small animal into a much larger one, while the number of toes on its feet steadily decreased, eventually forming a single hoof.
Around 40 million years ago, the earliest form, known as Eohippus, was relatively small in size and had four toes on each foot. By 30 million years ago, Mesohippus had developed a larger body and its foot structure had changed, with only three toes remaining.
Further evolution can be seen 15 million years ago in Merychippus, which was noticeably taller and stronger, although it still had three toes, with the central one becoming more dominant. Eventually, the modern horse emerged with a significantly larger body and a single hoof, indicating a complete transformation in foot structure over time.
