| When Christopher Columbus landed in the New World | | | | to a trot. It's a moderate speed, yet allows one to |
| in 1492, he found a continent without horses. After | | | | cover a good distance in leisurely fashion. Because of |
| returning to Spain, upon his return to the Americas, he | | | | the smoothness of the stride, both horse and riders |
| brought back mares and stallions from Andalusia and | | | | can go for hours tirelessly.Paso Largo - this is a faster |
| Cordela. These horses were a mixture of Andalusian, | | | | speed with a longer stride. The actual speed is |
| Barb, and the now-extinct Spanish Jennet. The | | | | different for each horse because it will reach its top |
| resulting offspring of this mixture was a horse with a | | | | speed in natural coordination with its tempo and |
| very smooth and comfortable gait suitable for the | | | | stride.Description and ConformationThe Paso Fino's |
| varied terrains of the New World. Because of a trait | | | | colors run the gamut of the equine color range. There |
| contributed by the Jennet, of passing the most | | | | is no one defining color assigned to this breed as being |
| desirable characteristics along to its offspring, the | | | | necessary for it being registered as a purebred horse |
| horse quickly became favored by the Conquistadors. | | | | and they can be with, or without, white markings.This |
| This was the founding stock of the Paso Fino breed. | | | | breed ranges in height from 13 to 15.2 hands (52 to |
| The breed established a place in the history of | | | | 60.8 in,. or 132 to 154 cm.), with the most typical being |
| Western Civilization, being cited as instrumental in the | | | | 13.3 to 14.2 hands (53.2 to 56.8 in., or 135 to 144.2 cm.), |
| conquest, exploration, and development of the | | | | which is considered small to average height for a |
| Americas.Over the 500 years since the introduction of | | | | horse. The weight ranges from 700 to 1100 pounds |
| the founding stock in the Western Hemisphere, the | | | | (49.7 to 78.1 stones). The full size of the Paso Fino |
| Paso Fino has been selectively bred and refined. And | | | | may not be reached until it is five years of age.The |
| although they can be found elsewhere Peru, in South | | | | Paso Fino is often described as being of noble |
| America, claims the most famous and purest | | | | appearance. The immediate impression that one has is |
| bloodlines of this breed.The most outstanding | | | | that of power, grace, and overall athletic balance in this |
| characteristic which makes the Paso Fino unique is the | | | | horse. Its mane and tail are luxurious and flowing. The |
| pattern and even cadence of its instinctual 1-2-3-4 gait. | | | | neck is sinuous, arched, and muscular. The shoulders |
| The hoofbeats are individually and distinctly heard as | | | | are well-defined, but not prominent. The back is short |
| the horse moves. The movement is smooth and | | | | and connects with slightly sloped hindquarters. The legs |
| lateral, rather than diagonal. The rider feels very little, if | | | | appear short, but powerful. The breed is naturally |
| any, up-and-down movement when the horse is in | | | | sure-footed with extremely durable hooves. Unless the |
| motion. This most unusual gait is performed at three | | | | horse is habitually used on rock or hard surfaces, it is |
| speeds:Classic Fino - Used for show purposes only, | | | | rarely shod.This beautiful breed of horse possesses a |
| this is the same forward speed as a slow walk. The | | | | natural affection, is very intelligent, and is built for hard |
| horse is collected and balanced. Watching the leg | | | | work. It performs well in gaited events, for showing, trail |
| motion is fascinating.Paso Corto - this is similar in speed | | | | riding, and for pleasure riding. |