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