Which extinct animal is considered the ancestor of modern horses?

Eohippus, often referred to as the "dawn horse," is considered one of the earliest ancestors of modern horses. This small, dog-sized animal lived around 55 million years ago during the Eocene epoch and exhibited some characteristics that were foundational in the evolution of the horse lineage.

Eohippus had a multi-toed foot structure, which is a significant departure from the single-toed hooves of modern horses. Its adaptations to a forested environment and herbivorous diet helped shape the evolutionary path that led to contemporary equines. Over millions of years, Eohippus and its descendants underwent various changes, leading to the development of larger body sizes, the reduction of toes, and other adaptations suited for different habitats.

Understanding the significance of Eohippus in the evolutionary history of horses provides insight into how environmental factors, diet, and physical adaptations contribute to the development of a species over time. This makes it a key focus in animal science and evolutionary biology, relating to the study of modern horses and their ancestral forms.