The diagrams demonstrate how the horse has evolved over a 40-million-year period.
Overall, the horse has developed bigger in size, as well as longer legs and neck, and the redcution in number of toes.
Looking first at the Eohippus, this species dates back 40 million years, the body of the first horse species was relatively small with short legs, while its hoof encompassed five toes with relatively identical size except for one tiny toe. The next generation, the Mesohippus, which emerged 30 million years ago, grew bigger in size, but lost two toes and the middle one was significantly bigger and longer than the others.
Moving to the Merychippus, dating back approximately 15 million years, this species was slightly bigger than its previous generation, with a smaller middle toe. Finally, the modern horse has a well-developed body with a longer and thicker neck. Also, its hoof now only has one single toe instead of three.
