the eohippus has 18 pairs of ribs, the mesohippus has 15 pairs of ribs, mirohippus has 19 pairs of ribs, modern horse is back to 18. (Prentis Hall Life Science 1991, page 500.) Going up and down with the rib count? Come on. thats not evolution.
Common mistake, thinking that evolution demands a "forward" progression ie: animals get bigger/stronger. There is nothing in evolutionary theory that would demand that the rib count increases or stays constant.
If "elitist" just means "not the dumbest motherfucker in the room", I'll be an elitist!
*not an actual doctor