or
over 500 years, the rapid, natural
footfall of the Paso Fino has set this
exciting breed in a class of its own.
FIt’s incessant hooves click rhythmically, like castanets
as it tattoos the ground with
a staccato of hoofbeats. Selectively bred and
perfected in the Western Hemisphere, this
horse offers the rider unparalleled comfort for a
super-smooth ride.
The Paso Finos have a remarkable pattern of
gaited footfall, appearing as if moving their legs
in synchronization, lifting both feet on one
side, then both on the other. In reality, the
Paso Fino is lifting one foot at a time in a
sequential but indepedent four-beat gait
cadence (left hind, left fore, right hind, right
fore) that’s natural to Paso Finos upon birth.
While they may appear small in stature
without a saddle, these horses look more
massive with a rider aboard. The Paso Fino
possesses a “brio,” or a mixture of energy,
confidence and fire. This tractable horse makes
a versatile and willing equine companion, at home both in the
show ring and on the trail.
It was a chance mix of
bloodlines that combined to
produce this unique
equine dynamo. With the
Moorish occupation of Spain
came a blending of the Berber
horse, which was a strong, compact and durable animal, with
the native Spanish stock, producing a sturdy but delicately gaited
horse known as the
Spanish Jennet. Mix
the Jennet with a touch
of Andalusian and the
result was a horse fit for
the discoverer and the
conquistador.
Christopher Columbus
brought the first horses
to what is now the
Dominican Republic
on his second voyage
to the New World.
It was these horses,
blending all of the most
treasured attributes of
their combined back-
grounds, which make
up the ancestry of the
modern day Caballos
de Paso Fino, meaning
“
the horse with the fine
step.”
The Paso Fino
possesses a flat-footed
walk and a canter, but
should not trot under
saddle. Instead, they
perform an even, four-beat gait in varying speeds and degrees
of
collection: the Paso Fino, Paso Corto, and Paso
Largo. The gait is rhythmic, purposeful,
balanced in flexion and synchronous front to
rear which results in a ride unequaled for
smoothness and comfort.
The Paso Fino gait, or “Classic Fino,” is a
very collected, quick, elegant movement. Each
hoof hits the ground independently. The
forward power in the movement comes from
the rear legs driving, allowing for higher action
from the front legs. Unlike man-made gaits,
the Paso Fino does not exhibit exaggerated leg
action, but rather a balanced movement of
execution of front and rear legs working
together. Riders demonstrate this incredibly
smooth gait by carrying a glass of wine on
their flat brimmed hats without spilling a drop.
While the forward speed and extension of
the Paso Corto gait is faster than that of the
fino, the horse maintains a more natural
carriage, moving in as smooth a fashion with
medium length of extended steps. The corto is
the speed most similar to the trot and a well-conditioned Paso
Fino
can travel at the corto
for hours covering
miles of trails or
multiple trips around
the show ring.
The paso largo gait,
or “long” gait, is an
extended version of
the corto, allowing
horses to travel at
incredible speeds while
still maintaining a
smooth, balanced ride.
While not all Paso
Fino horses can
perform the classic
fino gait, the performance and pleasure
type Paso Finos should
be able to perform a
largo gait.
The unique gaits of
the Paso Fino make
the horse suitable for
trail riding, livestock
work, endurance and,
for those with natural
talent, exceptional
presence and the finest gaits, the show ring.
With the Paso Finos’ increasing popularity,
Paso Fino Horse Association has grown 8%
annually over the past eight years.
Paso Finos come in every equine color with
or without white markings. The horses typi-
cally stand 13.3 to 14.2 hands (they can range
up to 15 hands), making them an easy horse
for mounting. They are a highly valued lesson
horse for those afraid of taller horses. Well
balanced, they weigh anywhere from from 700
to 1,000 pounds.
The Paso Fino is spirited and responsive
under tack; sensible and gentle at hand. It is
this disposition combined with the balanced
attractiveness of the horse that adds to the
overall impression that this is a horse that
knows he is unique and is proud of it.
Contact Information:
For more information contact the Paso Fino
Horse Association, 101 N. Collins St., Plant
City, FL. 33563-9924, phone (813) 719-7777
www.pfha.org |
