Paso Fino - The horse with the Cadillac Ride
Are you looking for a horse that will give you a smooth, no-bounce ride?
One that is truly a pleasure to ride.
A sure-footed horse with stamina that you will enjoy on the trails.
Do you want a show horse that stands apart from the ordinary?
Have you considered a Paso Fino? Los Caballos de Paso Fino is, literally, the “Horse with the Fine Step”. The naturally gaited Paso Fino is a beautiful, versatile breed gaining in popularity across the United States. The breed traces its beginning to horses brought to the New World by Spanish explorers.
The Paso Fino Gait
The Paso Fino was developed in Latin America and the Caribbean through centuries of selective breeding for a natural smooth gait, stamina, and vigor.
Their smooth four-beat gait is the hallmark of Pasos. The gait is totally natural, usually exhibited from birth. No artificial devices or enhancements are used.
The Paso gait is essentially a broken pace (a lateral, not diagonal gait). The sequence of footfall is: right rear, right fore, left rear, left fore. With the hind foot touching the ground a fraction of a second before the front foot. On a hard surface, a definite rhythmic 1,2,3,4 can be heard. “Taca, taca."
The energy to move forward comes primarily from the hind legs. Yet the motion is absorbed through the back and loins, and the croup remains relatively still. Because there is no jarring or the side-to-side motion felt in the true pace, the rider feels no up and down motion. The rider appears to float down the trail or around the arena.
Sound complicated? Remember, this gait is natural to a Paso Fino horse.
There are three forms of the gait, with varying amounts of collection and speed:
• Classic Fino - characterized by a very fast cadence with very little forward movement. Executed with a high degree of collection, usually reserved for the show ring. A low, very tight gait. Of the breed as a whole, only a small percentage of Pasos perform at this level. The famous stallion, Capuchino was reported to have 126 steps per minute with forward movement of 4-inches per step. While it is a breath-taking exhibition of ability, the Fino gait has no practical purpose outside the show ring.
• Paso Corto - a more relaxed form of the gait and is often the gait the Paso Fino horse itself prefers. Paso Corto is the ideal trail and pleasure gait as it uses only medium collection and light contact on the bit. For many Paso Fino riders – to Corto is to Glide!
• Paso Largo - the speed form of the gait. Equated to the speed of a "slow canter" but with the same 1,2,3,4 rhythm of the Corto and Largo. The ride is smooth and the rider appears motionless in the saddle. Caught in a rainstorm while you’re on a ride? Largo will get you home in comfort!
Paso Fino Versatility
Paso Finos can perform all of the natural equine gaits – flat walk, trot and canter/lope. Just think of them as being blessed with extra “gears” that they prefer to use.
They are used for pleasure riding, showing, trail riding, endurance riding, competitive trail, driving, barrel racing, reining, mounted shooting events, and field dog trials. Many have natural “cow sense” and some are trained for use on cattle ranches. Paso Fino shows also include a class for jumping, similar to hunter hack.
In the Show Ring
The Paso Fino is shown with a full, flowing mane and tail. The official attire is simple; no adornments such as silver are allowed on the tack or on the rider's costume (except for the Costume Class).
The emphasis is totally on the horse itself. "Distractions" from the horse’s natural performance are not encouraged.