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Wild horses are mammals belonging to the Equidae family, which also includes zebras and asses. Historically, wild horses inhabited open areas across northern Eurasia. These early horses were smaller than their domesticated descendants, standing about 120-130 cm (47-51 inches) at the shoulder.1

The domestication of horses began around 6,000 years ago. Today, the only surviving wild horse subspecies is Przewalski's horse, discovered in Mongolia in the late 1870s. While once thought extinct in the wild, reintroduction programs have seen some success. North American wild horses, such as mustangs, are descendants of domestic horses that have returned to a feral state.234

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