Equus—the genus to which all modern equines, including horses, asses, and zebras, belong—evolved from Pliohippus some 4 million to 4.5 million years ago during the Pliocene.

What came before Hyracotherium?

Hyracotherium was succeeded by Orohippus, which differed from Hyracotherium primarily in dentition. The skeleton of Eohippus, a mammal considered to be the first known horse.

How did the horse hoof evolve?

Horses are the only creature in the animal kingdom to have a single toe – the hoof, which first evolved around five million years ago. ... It happened as horses evolved to become larger with legs allowing them to travel faster and further.