| 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 | | | | Paso Largo - this is a faster speed with a longer |
| Andalusian, Barb, and the now-extinct Spanish | | | | stride. The actual speed is different for each horse |
| Jennet. The resulting offspring of this mixture was a | | | | because it will reach its top speed in natural |
| horse with a very smooth and comfortable gait | | | | coordination with its tempo and stride. |
| suitable for the varied terrains of the New World. | | | | Description and Conformation |
| Because of a trait contributed by the Jennet, of | | | | The Paso Fino's colors run the gamut of the equine |
| passing the most desirable characteristics along to its | | | | color range. There is no one defining color assigned |
| offspring, the horse quickly became favored by the | | | | to this breed as being necessary for it being registered |
| Conquistadors. This was the founding stock of the | | | | as a purebred horse and they can be with, or without, |
| Paso Fino breed. The breed established a place in | | | | white markings. |
| the history of Western Civilization, being cited as | | | | This breed ranges in height from 13 to 15.2 hands (52 |
| instrumental in the conquest, exploration, and | | | | to 60.8 in,. or 132 to 154 cm.), with the most typical |
| development of the 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 |
| The most outstanding characteristic which makes the | | | | is that of power, grace, and overall athletic balance in |
| Paso Fino unique is the pattern and even cadence of | | | | this horse. Its mane and tail are luxurious and |
| its instinctual 1-2-3-4 gait. The hoofbeats are | | | | flowing. The neck is sinuous, arched, and muscular. |
| individually and distinctly heard as the horse moves. | | | | The shoulders are well-defined, but not prominent. |
| The movement is smooth and lateral, rather than | | | | The back is short and connects with slightly sloped |
| diagonal. The rider feels very little, if any, | | | | hindquarters. The legs appear short, but powerful. |
| up-and-down movement when the horse is in motion. | | | | The breed is naturally sure-footed with extremely |
| This most unusual gait is performed at three speeds: | | | | durable hooves. Unless the horse is habitually used |
| Classic Fino - Used for show purposes only, this is the | | | | on rock or hard surfaces, it is 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. |
| fascinating. | | | | It 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. |