The odd history of horses | Elsa Panciroli

New research sheds light on the origins of domestic horses, and asks: just how many toes does a horse have?

We're so used to seeing horses, we often forget just what a bunch of weirdos they are. Let's start with their feet: can you name another animal with only one hoof? If you said cow, sheep or goat, then you need to take a closer look next time you're on the farm, because they all have two hooves per foot. Deer - likewise. The next curious question: how did such a powerful animal come to have an upstart ape lead it around by the mouth, and sit on it?

The evolutionary history of horses is relatively well understood, but there are still some gaps in our knowledge, and new discoveries continue to be made. So where do these strange animals come from, and how did we end up with the domesticated breeds so familiar to us today?