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