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

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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.