| The Peruvian Paso originated in Peru, from the horses | | | | to it. In the action of the gait, the hind legs take very |
| that were first brought to Peru in 1532 by the Spanish | | | | long, straight strides, with the quarters held low and the |
| adventurer Franciso Pizarro. These horses blended the | | | | hocks well underneath the body. In addition to the easy |
| Barb, the Friesian, the Spanish Jennet, and the | | | | gait, the developers of the Peruvian Paso wanted the |
| Andalusian, and the Peruvian Paso today is thought to | | | | breed to retain the action displayed by high lift and flex |
| be 75 percent Barb and 25 percent Spanish, or | | | | of the knee and fetlock combined with "termino". The |
| Andalusian. Since that time, no outside blood has been | | | | combination of the loose, flowing, arcing or rolling |
| introduced into the Peruvian Paso for several centuries, | | | | foreleg movement with the powerful driving force of |
| and now it is the only naturally gaited breed in the | | | | the hind legs results in a motion of exceptional |
| world that can guarantee its gait to 100% of its | | | | smoothness that the Peruvian Paso can maintain over |
| offspring. Every purebred Peruvian Paso has the | | | | long periods of time at a remarkable speed, even over |
| inherited gait, which is the trademark of the breed and | | | | rough terrain, while being extremely comfortable to the |
| it is also named for that gait. | | | | rider. This gait can be as slow as a walk or as fast as |
| The Peruvian Paso is not a large horse. Its average | | | | an extended trot or slow canter, but even though |
| height is between 14 and 15 hands with its weight | | | | Peruvian Paso is able to canter, it rarely does, since it |
| usually between 900 and 1,100 pounds; or about the | | | | prefers its natural gait. |
| same as the Morgan horse or the Arabian horse. It is a | | | | But what is most special is that the breed transmits |
| compactly built, muscular horse that is broad and deep | | | | this smooth gait to all purebred foals. Both the gait and |
| through the body, yet standing on short, strong limbs. | | | | the flashy leg actions are completely natural and not |
| The flat, broad face of the Peruvian Paso | | | | created or aided in any way by any artificial training or |
| complements the overall conformation with eyes that | | | | action devices. In fact, Peruvian Paso horses are |
| are bright and very expressive. The muzzle and jaw | | | | shown without shoes and with a short, natural hoof. |
| are refined and there is a natural thickness through the | | | | They are also shown under traditional Peruvian tack |
| throat. The neck is arched and muscular but short and | | | | and costume and are traditionally given Peruvian |
| in proportion to the rest of the body. | | | | names. |
| The horse's shoulders are strong and they are sloped | | | | The temperament of the Peruvian Paso is one of the |
| just enough to produce the required elevation in the | | | | world's best, thanks to a long standing Peruvian |
| forelegs for its special gait. The limbs have | | | | practice of not breeding animals that have an |
| exceptionally strong pasterns in order to meet the | | | | unsuitable disposition. This gaited breed is intelligent, |
| requirements to perform any of the three gaits, | | | | kindly and easily managed. |
| especially over long periods of time, so the hock joints | | | | As for genetic anomalies, Degenerative Suspensory |
| must be large and very well constructed. It has a | | | | Ligament Desmitis (DSLD) is a possible disorder of this |
| strong, hard hoof that does not need to be shod and | | | | breed. Veterinarians do not yet know if DSLD is |
| the horse is naturally sure-footed and agile. | | | | genetic; or due to overuse of affected limbs; or |
| The skin of the Peruvian Paso is covered with fine, | | | | hormone fluctuations (previously-sound broodmares |
| shiny hair and it has a long, abundant tail that is also of | | | | may develop symptoms of DSLD around foaling time); |
| fine hair. The breed comes in all the basic solid colors | | | | or if it is some combination of these. Although the |
| as well as gray and roan, but bay and chestnut are | | | | condition is best known in gaited breeds (American |
| the most common colors. Every other coat color, | | | | Saddlebreds, Peruvian Pasos, Peruvian crosses, |
| including parti-colored coats, is possible. Because of the | | | | Standardbreds, and National Show Horses), it has also |
| breed's direct link to the Barb horse, its coat has some | | | | been diagnosed in Arabians, Thoroughbreds, and |
| striking color tones and shades. | | | | Andalusians. DSLD is a progressive and rare condition |
| The Peruvian Paso gaits have been developed and | | | | and horses that develop it show increasing lameness, |
| perfected so much that they are now considered to | | | | usually accompanied by physical changes in their |
| be a breed characteristic that distinguishes this breed | | | | pasterns as their suspensory ligaments lose elasticity. |
| from all other Spanish horses. The Peruvian Paso gait | | | | Veterinarians caution that symptoms differ per horse, |
| is not like the lateral movements of other gaited | | | | but early signs might include stiffness in gait, change in |
| breeds. The Peruvian Paso is the only horse in the | | | | attitude, and a reluctance to work. |
| world with "termino"; a graceful, flowing movement in | | | | Thanks to the unique, in-born, four-beat lateral gait, the |
| which the forelegs are rolled towards the outside as | | | | Peruvian Paso horse is the smoothest riding horse in |
| the horse strides forward, much like the arm motion of | | | | the world. One can carry a glass of water and never |
| a swimmer. Termino is a spectacular and beautiful | | | | spill a drop while in motion. The breed is also one of the |
| natural action that must be viewed to be appreciated. | | | | showiest of all horses because they seem to have an |
| The Paso Corto is the horse's normal, easy, traveling | | | | inner pride and energy that make them travel with a |
| gait and there are three carefully preserved divisions | | | | style that looks as if the horse is always on parade. |