Equidae

The family Equidae, commonly known as equids, encompasses mammals such as horses, asses, and zebras. These animals are part of the order Perissodactyla, which includes tapirs and rhinoceroses as well. The evolutionary history of horses, in particular, is well-documented, tracing back to the small, forest-dwelling Hyracotherium (or Eohippus) during the Eocene Epoch.1234

Over millions of years, horses evolved into larger, more cursorial animals with adaptations for grazing, including high-crowned teeth and fused leg bones for running. Modern equids are characterized by their single-hoofed feet and herbivorous diet, primarily consisting of grasses. While wild populations of some species, like Grevy's zebra, are endangered, domestic horses and asses have played significant roles in human history as working and riding animals.34256