Syringa Paso Fino Horses

The Smoothest Ride ... Naturally

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Frequently Asked Questions about Paso Finos 
 

Q: What is a Paso Fino?
 
A: The Paso Fino breed of horses, although relatively new to the U.S., is actually 500 years old.  It was developed through selective breeding of horses brought to America by the Spanish Conquistadors.  These first horses were Andalusians, Barbs, and Spanish Jennets (Jennets are now extinct).  The ancestors of today's Paso Finos came to the New World on the second voyage of Christopher Columbus.
 
Originally serving as foundation stock for the Conquistadors' remount stations, the horses were key to the exploration of mountain ranges, open valleys and dense jungles.  They are intelligent and athletic.  The Spanish Jennet gave the Paso Fino a natural four-beat gait which provided a wonderfully smooth, less tiring gait, in a wide range of speeds. With selective breeding and refinement over time, these Latin American horses came to be known as "Los Caballos de Paso Fino", the horse with the fine step.
 
The Paso Fino of today reflects its wonderful Spanish heritage not only with its natural four-beat gait, but also in its proud carriage and elegance.  The gait (way of moving its legs) is the hallmark of the Paso Fino breed.
 
True to their Spanish heritage, the Paso Fino's conformation reflects it Iberian ancestors.  The general impression is a light horse having great natural grace and style with definite, but controlled spirit; no extreme muscling.  The Andalusian blood has given the head a profile that is straight or slightly convex above the nostrils.  A concave or dish face is not typical. 
 
The Paso Fino moves in an alert manner with a rather high head carriage and an arched neck.  The shoulders are sloping and the Paso Fino has great depth through the heart, allowing for greater lung capacity.  The back of a Paso Fino may vary from short to long and still be quite typical of the breed.
 
Paso Finos are beautiful horses and are shown with mane, forelock and tail in their natural long and full manner.
 
Paso Fino Size: Paso Finos range in size from 15.2 hands to 13 hands, with 13.3 to 14.2 being most typical.  Their weights range from 700 to 1100 pounds.  Paso Finos are typically slower growing and may not reach their full mature size until they are 5 years old.  Paso Finos very often live into their 30s.
 
Paso Fino Colors:  Paso Finos come in very equine color with or without white markings (Appaloosa patterns would be an exception).  Pinto-colored Paso Finos are becoming more popular.
 
 
The sound of an approaching Paso Fino, especially on a hard surface such as asphalt or wood, is different.  Rather than a three-beat, which could be described as ta-ta tum, ta-ta tum, ta-ta tum, with the third beat lasting a bit longer than the first two.  The Paso's four-beat is often described as taca-taca, taca-taca, taca-taca, with each beat an equal length.
 
On a Paso Fino moving at any of the three primary gaits, the horse's croup is very quiet with little to no up/down movement. (Their gaits, and why they are so valued, are explained in detail in the next question and answer.)  The rider's head and shoulders float above the horse in a very smooth motion.  No bouncing, no posting.
 
Q: What are the Paso Fino's gaits?
 
A: Like other horses Paso Finos can walk, trot, and canter, but their own natural four-beat lateral gait is what they prefer.  They give the rider a wonderfully smooth no-bounce ride with three primary speeds known as Classic Fino, Paso Corto and Paso Largo.  In each, the footfall pattern is: Right Rear, Right Fore, Left Rear, Left Fore with the rear hoof striking the ground a fraction of a second before the fore hoof.  Thus creating the four-beat "broken" lateral gait and the wonderfully smooth ride.
 
Classic Fino: Usually reserved for the show ring, in Classic Fino the horse holds itself fully collected and balanced.  The motion of the legs is smooth and extravagant yet the hooves are not lifted overly high.  Each hoof hits the ground individually yet in rapid succession; one, two, three, four distinct beats. At the same time the forward motion is comparable to a slow walk.  The best of the best Classic Fino horses love to collect themselves and may stride only inches at a time, yet their footfall is very rapid. 
 
Classic Fino is breath-taking and exciting to watch!  The croup of the horse has essentially no rise and fall.  The rider's head and shoulders float in a smooth line above the horse. The horse shows his pride and controlled energy.
 
Paso Corto: No posting required! Paso Corto is the gait many Paso Finos prefer and is the average trail gait - comparable in speed to a trot but so much smoother to ride. The horse is moving with medium stride and collection; covering ground at a moderate but unhurried speed.  The legs are in the same four-beat lateral gait and the rider is moving smoothly along.
 
With proper conditioning, a Paso Fino can cover many miles a day on all sorts of terrain and both horse and rider will be less tired or trail weary at the end of the ride. The rider wearing the unmistakable "Paso Fino Smile". 
 
Paso Largo: Largo is the fastest of the three primary gaits.  The horse is moving with the same four-beat footfall; but there is longer extension of the stride, and varying degrees of collection.  The Largo also produces a smooth ride with the wind flowing through your hair and the horse's mane and tail flying in the breeze.  Largo races, requiring horses to stay in gait at all times, are often held as fun classes at Paso Fino shows and exhibitions.
A: The four-beat lateral gait is the natural (genetic) heritage of every Paso Fino foal.  It is not solely the result of training or use of mechanical aids.  Newborn foals move in the corto or largo within hours of birth.  Of course, when they are getting the feel for their legs and starting to play, they also run at a full speed gallop, canter and trot.  They are fully capable of all the gaits of the non-gaited breeds such as the Quarter Horse or Arabians.
 
Like humans, horses come various sizes and do not all have exactly the same conformation.  Thus some are more or less athletic than others.  To varying degrees, this carries through to the way they execute the Paso Fino gaits and the feel they pass on to their rider.
 
Think of a herd of Paso Finos as a team of athletes that all have the abilities to play their sport and would rather play it than anything else.  Some of them have the special talents that are needed to be selected to play at a professional level.  A few will attain the heights of Michael Jordan or Joe Montana and be honored with recognition in their sport's Hall of Fame.  
 
Thus, individual Paso Fino horses may have special talents for the Classic Fino that can be enhanced by training, just as the talented athlete gets better with the right kind of coaching.  Or another Paso may have bloodlines that are known for their fast, smooth largo which can be made even better with training (coaching).
 
And, much like humans, some Paso Finos love to show off before a crowd in a show ring while others are much more happy to be outdoors on the trails.  Some like to do it all!
 
Q: Do I have to ride a Paso Fino in a special way?
 
A: A little bit, yes.  But the changes are fairly simple and straight forward and most riders catch on quickly.  You need to sit more deeply in the saddle and relax your back and legs.  Your stirrups might need to be a bit longer than you are used to, this will vary from person to person.  Pasos are typically ridden with two hands on the reins, with the reins held relatively high and your hands close together.
 
A few minutes together with coaching from the horse's owner and you should soon experience the smooth Paso Fino ride and be wearing the "Paso Fino Smile".
Q: What kind of tack do I need for a Paso Fino?
 
A: As with any breed of horse, you need a well-fitting saddle and a bridle and bit that are appropriate for the horse's level of training and experience.  There are traditional styles of Paso Fino saddles and bridles that are both comfortable and beautiful, but they aren't a requirement. 
 
If you plan to ride in Paso Fino horse shows sanctioned by the Paso Fino Horse Association, your tack must meet the rules/requirements for the class you are competing in.
 
Here at Syringa Ranch we trail ride in western saddles that have been in our family for several decades, combined with traditional Paso Fino bridles and headstalls.
 
Your final selection will be a matter of saddle fit, training level of your horse, what type(s) of riding you will be doing, and of course, your budget.
Q: Are all Paso Fino horses the same?
 
A: No.  As I explain in the question about their training, their natural talents and temperment vary.  Just as it is with a family of brothers and sisters, cousins, aunts and uncles.  Just as it is across other breeds of horses - each one is an individual.
 
We recommend if you are new to Paso Finos or gaited breeds in general, that you ride several Paso Finos and ask questions of their owners to learn more about the differences between individual horses. 
 
Think of it like shopping for a new vehicle.  Are you ready for an SUV that will carry you comfortably over the most rugged terrain?  Do you want that very sporty fast car that makes heads turn as you pass by?  Or do you want something that blends the best of both?

Q: Can Paso Finos be ridden in the mountains?

 

A: Yes.  Their natural heritage is for sure-footed horses with a great deal of stamina.  Due to their deep girths, they have lots of room for their lungs and heart.  Typical Paso Finos have strong hooves.

 

Paso Finos are being used in endurance riding and becoming more and more successful in this challenging sport.  They can also excel in competitive Trail Challenge classes held in more of an arena setting.

 

Many Paso Fino ranches are located in mountain settings and the horses are pastured outdoors and ridden on trails.

Q: Why should I consider a Paso Fino horse?

 

A:  There are many reasons and they vary from owner-to-owner and rider-to-rider. But I believe the number one reason that unites all those who believe in Paso Finos is the smooth, no-bounce ride of this wonderful breed. 

 

Personally, my family has always treasured the comfortable gait of our Paso Fino horses - no need to post the trot when you can float on the corto.  As I have gotten older, my knees, hips and back still feel great at the end of a ride.  A friend we've met through the informal "Paso Fino Network" was unable to ride non-gaited horses due to injuries she sustained in a serious automobile accident. Trying a Paso Fino showed her the way back to her love of riding.  She now owns several Paso Finos and rides with her daughters.

 

These are also beautiful, intelligent, athletic horses that can be used in so many ways.  The popularity of the Paso Fino is growing every day.