Why is the fossil record of the horse particularly important to the theory of evolution?

A comprehensive fossil record strengthens the argument against evolutionary skeptics by demonstrating how organisms can change gradually over time through natural selection.

The fossil record of the horse is particularly important to the theory of evolution because it provides a clear, well-documented sequence of transitional forms over a span of about 55 million years. This sequence illustrates how horses evolved from small, multi-toed creatures (Eohippus) into the large, single-toed animals we see today. It showcases evolutionary concepts such as gradual adaptation to changing environments, natural selection, and how species can change anatomically and behaviorally over time. The progression from forest-dwelling animals with multiple toes suited for soft ground to grassland-dwelling animals with large, single hooves adapted for running on hard ground vividly demonstrates how evolutionary pressures can shape the development of species.