| The Paso Fino horse has a proud past and is one of | | | | themselves in the naturalness of their horses since |
| the oldest native breeds in the Western Hemisphere. | | | | artificial training aids are not necessary to bring out this |
| During the 500 years that they have been selectively | | | | genetically instinctual gait. |
| bred in the Western Hemisphere, the Paso Fino has | | | | The Paso Fino gait is performed at three forward |
| participated in the conquest of the Americas, and then | | | | speeds with varying degrees of collection. At all |
| in the exploration and development of both North and | | | | speeds of the gait, the rider should appear motionless |
| South American continents. Today they are show | | | | in the saddle, and there should be no perceptible up |
| horses, pleasure trail horses, and have a host of | | | | and down motion of the horse's croup. Demonstrations |
| versatile uses in all equine disciplines. But it is the lateral | | | | show the rider holding a full glass of water, not spilling a |
| four-beat gait that distinguishes the Paso Fino. This | | | | drop, and barely moving the water in the glass at all. |
| exceptionally smooth motion makes it an excellent | | | | The Classic Fino, also known as the Fino Fino, Paso, or |
| choice for people with spinal injuries or arthritis, as well | | | | Paso Fino gait, exhibits full collection with a very slow |
| as for therapeutic riding programs for the handicapped. | | | | forward speed. It is an evenly-spaced four-beat lateral |
| The origins of the Paso Fino began in Spain where a | | | | gait with each foot contacting the ground |
| chance mix of breeds created offspring that would | | | | independently in a regular sequence at precise intervals |
| one day become one of the world's finest riding | | | | creating a rapid, unbroken and extremely regular |
| horses. When the Moors occupied the Spanish | | | | 1-2-3-4 rhythm. Executed perfectly, the four hoof |
| countryside they brought with them the Berber horse, | | | | beats are absolutely even in both cadence and impact, |
| also known as the Barb. Interbreeding with native | | | | resulting in unequaled smoothness and comfort for the |
| Spanish stock produced the delicately gaited Spanish | | | | rider. The footfall is extremely rapid with the steps and |
| Jennet (which is now extinct, but being re-created). | | | | extension exceedingly short. Although the horse steps |
| These were subsequently bred with the Andalusian. | | | | extremely rapidly, it takes only small strides; so the |
| The resulting offspring had the hardiness of the Barb; | | | | speed is somewhere between a walk and a canter. |
| the natural pride and presence of the Andalusian; and | | | | This gait is usually only used in show because it strains |
| the extremely comfortable saddle gait of the Spanish | | | | the horse, although they can sustain the Paso for an |
| Jennet. | | | | extended period of time without resting. It is quite a |
| In 1492, Columbus discovered that the New World had | | | | remarkable sight since the horse appears to be |
| no horses, so with his second voyage, he brought the | | | | dancing. |
| first horses to Santo Domingo, a select group of | | | | The Paso Corto has a forward speed that is |
| mares and stallions from Andalusia and Cordela of the | | | | moderate with full to moderate collection. The footfalls |
| above mixed bloodlines. The result of the blending of | | | | are ground-covering but unhurried and are executed |
| these horses and the isolation of them to such a small | | | | with medium extension and stride. It is a comfortable |
| area assured that these bloodlines would eventually | | | | medium-speed gait similar to the trot in speed. The |
| evolve into the Paso Fino horse. | | | | corto is the average trail gait and a well conditioned |
| The offspring of these isolated horses were dispersed | | | | Paso Fino can travel at the corto for hours. Since it is |
| through the various lands that the conquistadores | | | | very energy efficient, it is ideal for long days of riding. |
| invaded. Centuries of selective breeding by colonists in | | | | The Paso Largo is the fastest speed of the gait, |
| Latin America and the Caribbean produced variations | | | | almost like a canter, and is an even more extended |
| of the "Caballo de Criollo," (native horse). Among them | | | | version of the same footfall. It is executed with a |
| was the small, extremely muscular, very refined Paso | | | | longer extension and stride with moderate to minimal |
| Fino that flourished initially in Puerto Rico and Colombia, | | | | collection. The forward speed varies with the individual |
| and later, in many other Latin American countries | | | | horse since their top speed should be in harmony with |
| (primarily Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Aruba, and | | | | its own natural stride and cadence. A horse at the |
| Venezuela) that were suitable for ranch work | | | | largo can cover ground at a breathtaking speed, |
| throughout Central and South America. But most | | | | extending its legs much more to cover more ground, |
| treasured was the incredibly smooth gait of the Jennet | | | | while still providing a secure and balanced seat for the |
| which was quickly recognized as a desirable trait and | | | | rider. |
| actively perpetuated. This gait became the genetic | | | | Some Pasos develop the Trocha, which is a diagonal |
| stamp of the Paso Fino. | | | | variant on the Paso. This is often discouraged except |
| Awareness of the Paso Fino didn't spread outside | | | | in parts of Colombia. Although it is a natural gait, it is not |
| Latin America until after WWII. It was after American | | | | as desirable as the Paso. Some horses develop this |
| servicemen came into contact with the stunning horse | | | | diagonal version when they are stressed or tired, so it |
| while stationed in Puerto Rico that Americans began | | | | can be a signal that a horse is overworked or simply |
| importing them in the mid-1940s. In the 1960's, Paso | | | | picking up bad habits. |
| Finos started to be imported from Colombia. But which | | | | The Paso Fino has a lively yet controlled spirit and is a |
| country produces the "true" Paso Fino? There are | | | | gentle horse that is intelligent, sensible and tractable. It is |
| "purists" who advocate for one or the other country, | | | | an extremely willing horse that truly seems to enjoy |
| but the American Paso Fino is often a blend of the | | | | human companionship and strives to please with its |
| best of the Puerto Rican and Colombian bloodlines. | | | | very responsive attitude when under tack. They are |
| The Paso Fino ranges in size from 13.0 hands to 15.2 | | | | often trained in both English and Western style and |
| hands. Weight ranges from 700 to 1100 lbs but full size | | | | many owners choose stylish tack from one of the |
| may not be attained until the fifth year. Every equine | | | | countries of the horse's origin. They are lightly shod or |
| color, from solid to pinto, can be found in the Paso Fino, | | | | go unshod when away from rocky or paved surfaces. |
| with or without white markings. | | | | In 1972, the Paso Fino Horse Association (PFHA) was |
| The head should be refined and in good proportion to | | | | founded. It is a member governed, not-for-profit |
| the body, neither extremely small nor large with a | | | | organization dedicated to promoting, protecting and |
| preferred straight profile. Eyes are large, well spaced, | | | | improving the breed. It is unclear from their website if |
| expressive and alert. Ears are short, set close, and | | | | they are a breed registering body as there is no |
| curved inward at the tips. The impression should be of | | | | reference to the official or historic studbook or any |
| an intelligent face. The neck should be gracefully | | | | other registration information that you would expect |
| arched, medium in length and set on at an angle to | | | | from a registry. Its 8,500 members are represented by |
| allow high carriage. Mane, tail and forelock should be as | | | | 24 regional groups in the United States, Canada, |
| long, full and luxurious as possible and no artificial | | | | Europe and South America who all sponsor shows |
| additions or surgical alterations are allowed. The tail is | | | | and other events, but do not register Paso Finos. |
| carried gracefully when horse is in motion. Standing | | | | Another website called Paso Registry (PFR) likewise is |
| slightly under in the rear is a typical pose. | | | | "not THE registry" as one blogger has written, but it |
| One cannot talk about a Paso Fino without focusing on | | | | does have a pedigree lookup for the foundation |
| their extremely smooth gait, even their name, Paso | | | | stallions. A link on their site to "register your horse" |
| Fino, means "Fine Step". The basic gaits of the Paso | | | | leads nowhere, and there is no registration information |
| Fino in order of speed are the paso fino, paso corto, | | | | that one would expect on a registry site. A glance at |
| and paso largo and they are capable of executing | | | | the pedigrees listed shows that Paso Fino names are |
| other gaits that are natural to horses, including a | | | | usually Spanish or Spanish "flavored" but whether this |
| relaxed walk and lope or canter. These are not trained | | | | is an official registration requirement (as in some |
| gaits, but are natural to the horse and are displayed at | | | | breeds), or just traditional preference is unclear when |
| birth. Newborn foals struggle to their feet and take | | | | registration rules are unavailable. |
| their first faltering steps in the gait. Owners pride | | | | |