The Paso Fino
Photographer: D. Wolhart
The Ultimate Show and Pleasure Horse
The Paso Fino horse reflects its Spanish heritage through its proud
carriage, grace and elegance. Modern care and selective breeding
have enhanced its beauty, refinement and well-proportioned
conformation that conveys strength and power without extreme
muscling. With its lively but controlled spirit, natural gait and
presence, and responsive attitude, the Paso Fino is indeed, a rare
and desirable equine partner.
The History of the Paso Fino
The Paso Fino's journey to the
Americas began more than 500 years ago with the importation of
Andalusians, Spanish Barbs from North Africa, and smooth-gaited
Spanish Jennets (now extinct as a breed) to the "New World" by
Spanish Conquistadors. Bred for their stamina, smooth gait and
beauty, "Los Caballos de Paso Fino" – the horses with the fine walk
– served as the foundation stock for remount stations of the
Conquistadors. Centuries of selective breeding by those who
colonized the Caribbean and Latin America produced variations of the
"Caballo de Criollo," among them the Paso Fino that flourished
initially in Puerto Rico and Colombia, and later, in many other
Latin American countries (primarily Cuba, the Dominican Republic,
Aruba, and Venezuela).
Descendants of the Conquistadors' horses are believed to have spread
into North America after the Spanish soldiers forayed for a brief
time into this territory. The modern-day mustang has traces of his
Spanish forbears. The Nez Perce Indian tribe, renowned for their
expert horsemanship and sophisticated knowledge of breeding spotted
horses, may have mixed some Spanish stock into their famous
Appaloosas, whose name is derived from the Palouse River region of
the Nez Perce's tribal homeland in Oregon.
Awareness of the Paso Fino as we know it today didn’t spread outside
Latin America until after WWII, when American servicemen came into
contact with the stunning Paso Fino horse while stationed in Puerto
Rico. Americans began importing Paso Finos from Puerto Rico in the
mid-1940s. Two decades later, many Paso Fino horses began to be
imported from Colombia. For a while, there was some contention as to
which country produced the "true" Paso Fino. Though there are still
some self-professed "purists" who advocate for one or the other
country, the American Paso Fino, true to our "melting pot"
tradition, is often a blend of the best of Puerto Rican and
Colombian bloodlines.
The Unique Gait of the Paso Fino
The Paso Fino is born with a gait
unique to the breed, and its attitude seems to transmit to the
observer that this horse knows its gait is a very special gift that
must be executed with style and pride! The gait is smooth, rhythmic,
purposeful, straight, balanced in flexion and synchronous front to
rear, resulting in unequaled comfort and smoothness for the rider.
The Paso Fino is a graceful, agile and supple equine athlete that
uses all four legs with precision and harmony.
The gait of the Paso Fino horse is totally natural and normally
exhibited from birth. It is an evenly-spaced four-beat lateral gait
with each foot contacting the ground independently in a regular
sequence at precise intervals creating a rapid, unbroken rhythm.
Executed perfectly, the four hoof beats are absolutely even in both
cadence and impact, resulting in unequaled smoothness and comfort
for the rider.
The Paso Fino gait is performed at three forward speeds and with
varying degrees of collection. In all speeds of the gait, the rider
should appear virtually motionless in the saddle, and there should
be no perceptible up and down motion of the horse's croup.
Classic Fino - Full
collection, with very slow forward speed. The footfall is extremely
rapid while the steps and extension are exceedingly short.
Paso Corto - Forward speed is moderate, with full
to moderate collection. Steps are ground-covering but unhurried,
executed with medium extension and stride.
Paso Largo - The fastest speed of the gait,
executed with a longer extension and stride, and moderate to minimal
collection. Forward speed varies with the individual horse, since
each horse should attain its top speed in harmony with its own
natural stride and cadence.
The Paso Fino is capable of executing other gaits that are natural
to horses, including the relaxed walk and lope or canter, and is
known for its versatility. In PFHA/USEF-sponsored shows, Paso Finos
compete in Western classes (Trail and Versatility), as well as
costume and Pleasure Driving. Paso Finos are also being seen in cow
penning, trail riding and endurance competitions and are winning
ribbons.
Growing in Popularity
The ancient history of the Paso Fino is fast becoming the future of
show and pleasure horses in the U.S. and beyond. They continue to
grow in popularity, as one-by-one, converts are won over through
experience.
Reprinted with permission from the Paso Fino Horse Association