The gait of Hipparion sp. from fossil footprints in Laetoli, Tanzania

Abstract

Three Hipparion trails, two from adults and one from a juvenile dating from about 3.5 Myr ago, have now been found in Laetoli. Comparison of the Hipparion footprints with a variety of imprints made by domestic horses showed that the animals moved with a running walk over the soft and slippery soil of Laetoli: in the alternative hind–fore–hind–fore footfall sequence one foot is always close to the ground and can take over the body weight if the supporting foot slides. The smaller juvenile was taking relatively longer strides than the adult. Body support was provided mainly by the third main toe. The evidence indicates that volcanic ash was falling at the time the footprints were made, suggesting that the animals were passing through the area at about the same time. The criss-cross pattern in the trails of the juvenile and adult Hipparion can be seen in the travelling behaviour of mares and foals of living horses. Evidence that the Hipparion were moving with a running walk supports the view that this gait is not ‘man-taught’ for rider-comfort, but a natural ability in modern horses.