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About the breed
Paso Finos
Artworks
The Paso Fino horse, while not widely known, is not a new breed. It was the second voyage of Columbus in 1493 that brought together the seed stock for what would come to be know as "The Horse With The Fine Walk" (Los Caballos con Paso Fino).
This seed stock consisted of the Barb (a hardy breed from North Africa), Spanish Jennet (a gaited horse now extinct) and Andalusian horses. The resulting blending of these bloodlines produced variations of the "Native Horse" (Caballo de Criollo) in Puerto Rico and Colombia and later, in many other Latin American countries (primarily Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Aruba, and Venezuela).
It was after WWII, that American servicemen stationed in Puerto Rico came into contact with the Paso Fino horse, primarily the "People's Horse" or day to day family horse (Paseo) used for work, pleasure and celebration. Americans began importing Paso Finos from Puerto Rico in the mid-1940s. Two decades later, the Paso Fino Colombiano gained recognition, and was imported as was stock from Cuba and the Dominican Republic. True to the "melting pot" tradition the American Paso Fino developed into what it is today and is often a blend of the best of these bloodlines where each geographic location contributed a slighly different gene pool.
The Paso gait is a neuromusclar inheritance, natural not trained. It is a square or near square gait, with each hoof hitting the ground independantly with equal cadence and impact. The sequence of the hooves are: left rear, left fore, right rear, right fore. The hind hoof touches the ground a fraction of a second before the front. A distinct 1,2,3,4 beat can be heard. Propulsion is primarily from the hind legs yet the motion is absorbed through the back and loins. The croup remains relatively still, thus eliminating the jarring felt when riding a trot or pace. The rider experiences little or no up and down movement, meaning they can ride for hours in comfort. The gait of the Paso Fino is performed with varying degrees of collection and speed:
Classic Fino - full collection, with very slow forward speed. The footfall is extremely rapid while the steps and extension are exceedingly short.
Corto - forward speed is moderate, with full to moderate collection. Steps are ground-covering but unhurried, executed with medium extension and stride.
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 can also perform other gaits naturally. The walk is the same as all equines, as is the canter, lope and gallop. Gaits such as the trocha, trot Y galope and andadura are found in use within geographical areas in shows and in the quickest growing sector , andadura racing - making the Paso Fino a versatile mount and natural athlete. The classic fino gait of the show horse is exhilerating to watch but may not be the preferred gait for a trail horse. The corto and largo offer trail riders a smooth and exciting ride with unsurpassed comfort.
Breed Description
The head should be refined and in good proportion to the body of the horse. Eyes are large and well-spaced, very expressive and alert. Ears are comparatively short, set close and curved inward at the tips. The lips should be firm and the nostrils large and dilatable. Jaw is defined but not extreme.
The neck is gracefully arched, medium in length and set on at an angle to allow high carriage, breaking at the poll. The throat latch should be refined and well-defined.
The shoulders are sloping into the withers with great depth through the heart. Chest is moderate in width. Withers are defined but not pronounced and slope smoothly into the back.
The midsection is moderate in length with a well-sprung rib cage. The top line should be proportionately shorter than the underline. The back should be strong and muscled. The midsection should join the forehand and the hindquarters so as to give the horse a pleasing, proportioned appearance.
The croup is slightly sloping with rounded hips, broad loins, and strong hocks. The tail is carried gracefully when the horse is in motion.
The legs are straight with refined bones and strong, well defined tendons and broad, long forearms with shorter cannons. The thigh and gaskin are strong and muscled but not exaggerated. Standing slightly under in the rear is acceptable. Pasterns are sloping and medium in length. Bones are straight, sound, and flat, and joints are strong and well defined. Hooves are well rounded, proportionate in size and do not show excessive heel.
The mane, tail, and forelock are as long, full, and luxurious as nature can provide. A bridle path not exceeding 4" is acceptable.
Paso Fino horses are 13 to 15.2 hands with 13.2 to 14.2 being the most typical size with weight ranging from 700 to 1100 pounds. Full size may not be attained until the fifth year.
Every equine color can be found, with or without white markings including pintos. The Pinto Paso shares much of the same heritage, traced mostly to the "Paseo" or people's horse as traditionally horses with excessive white are not shown in countries of origin. In North America, however, color is not to be a consideration when being judged in the ring.
A blending of the Paso Fino stock that carries the tobiano pattern found in Puerto Rico,
and the sabino pattern, which can be found in all strains of Paso Finos, has allowed
American breeders to develop some of the finest Paso Finos with pinto patterns in the world.
Most of the American Paso Fino registries accept the pinto pattern. Pinto Paso Finos can also be registered in an association dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the original style Pinto Paso Horse.
Photo credit andadura on line
