Ice-age Horse

Fossil horses have a long and complex history in North America. The ancestors of modern horses first appeared on the continent over 50 million years ago and evolved into a diverse array of species. These ancient horses varied in size, with some as small as a dog and others as large as a modern draft horse. They also had different adaptations, such as multiple toes on their feet, unlike the single hoof of modern horses. Over time, these early horse species migrated to other parts of the world, eventually going extinct in North America around 12,000 years ago. The extinction of the native North American horses is thought to be linked to climate change and human hunting. Fossil horses are important in understanding both the evolutionary history of horses and the past environments of North America.