From a small, many-toed animal in ancient North America to the steppe horses that spread across Eurasia, and on to Britain's farms, cab ranks and battlefields: the story of the horse, and of the people who learned to care for it.
Early horse ancestors such as Hyracotherium live in North America, the original home of horse evolution. They have four toes in front and three behind, each with its own small hoof.
Where horses came from: evolution and domesticationAs grasslands spread across North America, three-toed horses evolve a "spring foot" that stores elastic energy in the leg tendons with each stride.
Where horses came from: evolution and domesticationSingle-toed horses appear in North America. For millions of years they stay pony-sized and few in number.
Where horses came from: evolution and domesticationSpring-footed, three-toed horses reach Eurasia and Africa, where some grow larger than a modern horse.
Where horses came from: evolution and domesticationAs the world grows cooler and drier, the first species of Equus, the genus of modern horses, appear.
Where horses came from: evolution and domesticationEquus leaves North America for the Old World. By a million years ago, every three-toed horse is extinct.
Where horses came from: evolution and domesticationAt the end of the Pleistocene, horses die out in the Americas, where their story began.
Where horses came from: evolution and domesticationAt Botai, in Central Asia, people bridle, milk and corral horses: the earliest archaeological evidence of domestic horses. Yet modern horses don't descend from them.
Where horses came from: evolution and domesticationYamnaya herders spread from the steppes into Europe. A 2021 genetic study found the domestic horse lineage didn't go with them, overturning a long-held idea.
Where horses came from: evolution and domesticationThe lineage of modern domestic horses, from the western Eurasian steppes, especially the lower Volga-Don region, becomes widespread.
Where horses came from: evolution and domesticationDomestic horses spread rapidly across Eurasia, replacing almost all other horse populations, alongside new technology such as spoke-wheeled chariots.
Where horses came from: evolution and domesticationThe City of London livery company of farriers is established. For centuries it runs examinations in the craft.
Horses in British historyCarlo Ruini publishes his pioneering manual of horse anatomy.
Horses in British historyThe death of the great racehorse Eclipse, and the post-mortem that followed, is bound up with the founding of Britain's first veterinary school.
Horses in British historyThe Veterinary College, London, now the Royal Veterinary College, is founded, marking the start of the veterinary profession in Britain. The first General Stud Book records the earliest details of the Thoroughbred.
Horses in British historyWilliam Dick, a farrier's son, gives the first lecture of what becomes the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh.
Horses in British historyMoved by Black Beauty and the plight of London's cab horses, Ann Lindo founds the Home of Rest for Horses, now the Horse Trust.
Horses in British history2.6 million heavy horses work in British agriculture and trade.
Horses in British historyOver six million horses serve in the First World War. The Home of Rest for Horses gives the army the first motorised horse ambulance.
Horses in British historyThe Farriers (Registration) Act 1975 comes into force: shoeing by anyone unregistered becomes a criminal offence.
Horses in British historyHorses first evolved in Europe.
The single toe evolved so horses could gallop away from predators.
Modern horses still have their side toes, hidden inside the hoof.
Horses died out in the Americas about 12,000 years ago.
Today's horses descend from the first known domestic horses, kept at Botai around 3500 BC.
Britain's first veterinary school is linked to the death of a famous racehorse.
The world's oldest horse charity was inspired by a novel.
