Paso Fino - Gaited Horses Down Under

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Paso Fino

History

Like his cousin the Peruvian Paso, the Paso Fino is a descendant of the Spanish breeds. In his second voyage to the new world, Columbus brought the first horses, mainly Spanish Jennets, Barbs and Andalusians, to Santo Domingo (today the Dominican Republic). In years to come, other conquerors' voyages would add to the horse population in Central America and the Conquistadores' continuous strive for new land ensured that these horses reached even the remotest areas.
The horse was pretty much the only means of transport both for conquistadores and later on for owners of the large estates. Therefore, the most distinct trait of the Spanish Jennet, his smooth ambling gait, lived on in the offspring. Today, the main breeding areas for Paso Finos are Puerto Rico, Colombia and the Caribbean - and of course the USA.

AuSome Amorosa at Olivaylle

Characteristics

Don Cristobal Mako
(courtesy Olivaylle)

The Paso Fino is a medium sized horse of Spanish type, usually very well balanced and with a comparatively short, strong back. Paso Finos range in size from about 13 to 15 hands (130 to 150 cm) and come in a variety of colours, from black and bay to palomino, roan and pinto. Their head is fine and noble, the highly set neck arches gracefully and mane and tail are long and silky.
Paso Finos are spirited, yet gentle horses, intelligent, easy to train and very people-oriented. They are also said to be very versatile, being used on the trail as well as for show and in gait competitions. Fino afficionados distinguish between the pleasure type, the performance type (a show and competition horse with a bit more temperament than the pleasure type) and the Classic-Fino type that can do the Fino Fino (see below).

Gaits

The (full) name says it all! 'Caballo de Paso Fino' translates into 'horse with the fine gait'. Whatever speed you want to go, a good Paso Fino will offer a four-beat gait for it!
Paso Fino: The paso classic fino, often also called fino fino or classic fino, is both the slowest and fastest four-beat of the Paso Fino: the slowest in terms of forward movement, comparable to a slow to normal walk, and the fastest in terms of footfall. In paso fino the horse moves in extremely rapid footfall, but with each step only covering a minimum of ground, pretty much like dancing on the spot. To perform this extraordinary gait, the horse does not only need the natural ability, but also great athleticism, balance, and suppleness. Only a small percentage of Paso Fino horses can do the paso fino and in the US those horses are highly prized show horses. Seeing and hearing the paso fino performed on the sounding board is truly an experience!
Paso Corto: Paso corto is the Paso Fino's medium four-beat gait, comparable in speed to working trot. Well conditioned horses can keep up this gait for hours without signs of exhaustion, making it the perfect travelling gait on the trail.
Paso Largo: In terms of covering ground, the paso largo is the fastest four-beat gait of the Paso Fino, sometimes as fast as gallop. Due to its extension and higher speed, this gait is more demanding on the horse and needs time to develop.
Trocha: Trocha was introduced into the Paso breed by Colombian Criollo horses and in recent years, some breeders have started to specifically breed for trocha. While the three afore mentioned Paso gaits are even four-beat gaits, trocha shows a distinct shift towards the trot end of the gait spectrum, with longer diagonal and very short lateral support, but still with the same footfall sequence.

Don Cristobal Mako in Paso Fino (courtesy Olivaylle)

Guantanamera de la Raza in Paso Corto (courtesy Olivaylle)

Problems

Paso Finos, particularly the ones bred for show, are said to be rather high strung, so their temperament might be a bit too much for some riders. A big problem in Australia is the limited number of Paso Finos in the country. To my best knowledge there is currently only one 'active' stallion in Australia and artificial insemination with semen from overseas stallions is still too expensive for most breeders.

Breeders in Oz

Olivaylle: http://olivaylle.com.au/

Links

Paso Fino Horse Association: http://www.pfha.org/
Paso Fino Vereinigung Europa: http://www.pfve.de/en/index_en.htm
Paso Club International: http://www.pasoclubinternational.com (in German)

Books

Tobon, Carlos: The Paso Fino Owners Manual (through Casa Dosa https://secure.tulsaconnect.com/casadosa/catalog_itemDetail.asp?ID=133)
Williams, Jennie: The Paso Fino Handbook I + II
McHugh, Betsy: Training your Paso Fino; McHugh (1987); ASIN B00071WMAI
Spring, Wendy: Paso Fino: An Owners Guide; Paso Fino Bloodstock Agency (1983); ASIN B0006EG4MS
LaHood, George J.: The American Paso Fino: A General Guide to Judging, Showing and Training American Paso Fino Horses; s.n. (1976); ASIN B0007AMZ10
Gaztambide Arrillage, Carlos: Breeding Better Paso Fino Horses; Dr. C. Gaztambide (1981); ASIN B0007AX56O