Equus (genus) Equus (genus) Equus is a genus of mammals in the family Equidae, which includes horses, donkeys, and zebras. Within Equidae, "Equus" is the only recognized extant genus, comprising seven living species. The term equine refers to any member of this genus, including horses. Like Equidae more broadly, "Equus" has numerous extinct species known only from fossils. The genus most likely originated in North America and spread quickly to the Old World. Equines are odd-toed ungulates with slender legs, long heads, relatively long necks, manes (erect in most subspecies), and long tails. All species are herbivorous, and mostly grazers, with simpler
Equus conversidens New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas and Florida, synonymizing "Equus francisci", "Equus tau", "E. littoralis", "E. achates", and "E. barcenaei" with "E. conversidens". However, Winans (1985) and MacFadden (1992) challenged the validity of "E. conversidens" due to its minimal diagnostic value, and treated "E. francisci" as valid. Subsequent study confirmed the "nomen dubium" status of "E. conversidens" because the holotype was undiagnostic besides its small size. Equus conversidens Equus conversidens (Owen 1869), or the Mexican horse, is a dubious Pleistocene species of horse, now extinct, that inhabited North America. The holotype of "Equus conversidens", a partial palate, was unearthed in Pleistocene deposits