Gaited horses
I) PASO FINO
Origin
Puerto Rico
History
The Paso Fino results from breeding crossbreds first from the Spanish Jennet mares to Andalusian stallions. Blood of the Spanish Jennet proved prepotent, and in several regions horses developed that were prized for their smooth riding gaits and hence also as breeding animals. At that time long trips were common, and the demand was for a resistant and rustic horse with smooth gaits. Selection was developed by breeders, working with Spanish Jennets, Andalusians, and Barbs. The result was the breed now known by the name of its natural gait - the Paso Fino.
Different Paso Fino lines were developed in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Cuba and Peru. Terrain, environment, use,feed, and selection all played roles in formation of the various types found within the breed.
Modern Paso Fino horses raised in the above mentioned countries represent breeds that differ among themselves but all have one significant common feature: the four-beat lateral gait which is very smooth, with the hind foot touching the ground a fraction of a second before the front foot. The movements of the horse are absorbed in its back and loin, giving the rider great comfort. The gait may be executed in three speeds known as paso fino, paso corto, and paso largo. In the paso fino, the horse travels with slow forward movement but very rapid footfall. This gait is often reserved for the show ring. The paso corto, equal in speed to the trot in its relaxed form, is the ideal pleasure and trail gait. The paso largo is the extended form of the gait, and speeds range between those of a canter and a hand gallop.
Paso Finos are now becoming popular in Europe, predominantly Germany and Switzerland. Paso Finos were first imported in the United Kingdom in 1996.
Description
- Head:
small with a slightly convex profile and large eyes which are spaced widely apart - Conformation:
-neck of medium length, upright and arched and the swan neck is not rare
-oblique shoulders
-moderately wide chest
-definite but not extremely pronounced withers
-long to short back
-straight legs, delicate in appearance with strong tendons
-small hooves - Average height:
14 to 15 h.h. - Colours:
they come in a variety of colours - Temperament:
they are gentle at hand, spirited under saddle, and endowed with tremendous individual personality. They enjoy the company of other horses and are especially fond of the company of their owners. - Today:
its aficionados claim that the Paso Fino is the smoothest riding horse in the world because of its natural, even, four beat gait that can be performed at varying speeds. These horses are versatile and can be used for trail riding, endurance riding, or in the show ring.
II) PERUVIAN PASO
Origin
Peru
History
The first horses to arrive in Peru landed in 1531 with Governor Don Francisco Pizarro. The Spaniards knew that horses were a prerequisite to the continuation of the conquest. Horses in Peru came from Spain, Jamaica, Panama, and other areas of Central America.
After Peru´s independence from Spain in 1823, horse imports were recorded of pure Arab, Hackney, pure Thoroughbred, Friesian and other breeds. The judicious fusion of several Old World breeds provided the foundation for the Peruvian horse, which developed into 3 main types: the Coastal horse or Costeno de Paso, here called the Peruvian Paso; the Coastal horse developed in high altitude, and the Andean.
The Peruvian Paso has become quite popular especially in the United States, supported by a large and growing association. In addition to the easy gait that provides a ride of incomparable smoothness and harmony of movement, the breeders who developed the Peruvian horse desired the breed to retain brilliant action typified by high lift and flex of the knee and fetlock combined with termino, a movement of the front legs similar to the loose outward rolling of a swimmer´s arm when doing the crawl.
The Peruvian Paso has been declared a Patrimonio Cultural (Cultural Patrimony) of Peru in an attempt to shore up the breed within the country. There are now laws in place that restrict the export of national champion horses.
Description
- Head:
small and thin with a straight or slightly convex profile; rounded and well separated eyes; pronounced and strong jaws, widely separated at the throat - Conformation:
-short, thick, arched, muscular and flexible neck
-prominent and rounded withers
-long and sloping shoulder
-wide and deep chest with good muscle structure
-muscular and slightly hollow back
-sloping croup with well-developed muscles
-muscular legs
-long cannons in the front and short in the back
-straight and well defined tendons
-short and strong hooves - Average height:
14.1 to 15.1 h.h. - Colours:
predominant colours are chestnut, brown, sorrel, black, grey, buckskin, palomino, roan or dun - Temperament:
in selecting for temperament, Peruvian Paso breeders are searching for Brio. Brio is often translated as "spirit," but this does not capture the complexity of the term.Brio is a somewhat contradictory temperament, which combines arrogance, spirit, and the sense of always being on parade, with a willingness to please the rider. If a horse has a bad temperament, it will not be bred, lest that trait be passed to further generations. - Today:
the qualities that make the modern Peruvian horse outstanding are its soft gait, elegant step, sobriety, rusticity and the power to adapt to various climatic conditions. The horses worldwide are used for pleasure, trail, horse shows, parades, and endurance riding.
