Paso Fino
About the Paso Fino Horse
© www.stuewer-tierfoto.de
... the smoothest riding horse in the world!
The Paso Fino horse reflects its Spanish heritage through its proud carriage, grace and elegance. Modern care and selective breeding have enhanced its beauty, refinement and well-proportioned conformation that convey strength and power without extreme muscling.
With its lively but controlled spirit, natural gait and presence, and responsive attitude, the Paso Fino is indeed, a rare and desirable equine partner in the show ring, on the competitive trail rides and on that Sunday afternoon pleasure ride.
The Unique Gait of the Paso Fino Horse
The most outstanding characteristic which makes the Paso Fino unique is the pattern and even cadence of its instinctual four-beat gait.
The gait of Paso Fino horses is totally natural and usually exhibited from birth. The hoofbeats are individually and distinctly heard as the horse moves. The movement is smooth and lateral, rather than diagonal. Smoothness of gait always takes preference over extreme front end or rear end action. The rider feels very little, if any, up-and-down movement when the horse is in motion.
Performed at three speeds:
Paso Fino Mare
©Fotoargentur Dill
Classic Fino - Used for show purposes only, this is the same forward speed as a slow walk. The horse is collected and balanced. Watching the leg motion is fascinating.
Paso Corto - this is similar in speed to a trot. It's a moderate speed, yet allows one to cover a good distance in leisurely fashion. Because of the smoothness of the stride, both horse and riders can go for hours tirelessly.
Paso Largo - this is a faster speed with a longer stride, in which the horse can reach speeds equivalent to a canter or slow gallop. The actual speed is different for each horse because it will reach its top speed in natural coordination with its tempo and stride.
The Paso Fino gait is quite unique, incredibly smooth and pleasant to ride, an evenly-timed, four-beat gait, slightly lateral as the feet pick up, but ideally, evenly timed as they set down.
Paso Finos will also walk, trot, and canter just like other breeds of horse.
Characteristics
Paso Fino Stallion
Mr. Tailor
- The Paso Fino's colors run the gamut of the equine color range. There is no one defining color assigned to this breed as being necessary for it being registered as a purebred horse and they can be with, or without, white markings.
- This breed ranges in height from 13 to 15.2 hands
- The Paso Fino is often described as being of noble appearance. The immediate impression that one has is that of power, grace, and overall athletic balance in this horse.
- Its mane and tail are luxurious and flowing.
- The neck is sinuous, arched, and muscular. The shoulders are well-defined, but not prominent.
- The back is short and connects with slightly sloped hindquarters. The legs appear short, but powerful.
- The breed is naturally sure-footed with extremely durable hooves. Unless the horse is habitually used on rock or hard surfaces, it is rarely shod.
- The Paso Fino wants to please its owner.This is a lively horse that has a natural drive and willingness, known colloquially as "brio", and generally a nice disposition.
- This beautiful breed of horse possesses a natural affection, is very intelligent, and is built for hard work. It performs well in gaited events, for showing, trail riding, and for pleasure riding.
They are difficult to resist, harder to forget and very easy to love!
