The Paso Fino
Since at the end of the 80s top horses were imported from Colombia and the USA, the Paso Fino breed has risen like a comet in Europe. Be inspired by this fascinating and versatile breed whose most impressive characteristic is their smooth lateral 4-beat Paso gait.
The History
As early as on his second journey in 1493 Christopher Columbus brought 20 stallions and 5 mares to the island of Hispaniola (known as the Dominican Republic and Haiti today) as founding stock for the first stud farm. It is quite doubtful that these horses were the fiery and famous ancestors of all Latin American horses: Christopher Columbus didn’t know much about horses and preferred a mule for his personal riding mount.
Nevertheless, the stud farm in Santo Domingo later became the center of the Spanish conqistadors when they needed horses for their conquests, for, in 1500 sixty Spanish brood mares had safely arrived on Hispaniola, thus, breeding could be done at a larger scale.
In addition, also Mr. Columbus’ colleagues were quite busy: In 1509 Martin de Salazar arrived in Puerto Rico with some horses, in 1511 Diego de Velasquez took possession of Cuba with eight horses and in 1517 Hernando Cortez reached Mexico with seventeen horses.
These animals found perfect living conditions in their new home and some decades later they had spread across the entire Caribbean and large parts of South America. In those times horses were an indispensable means of transport in these vast areas. Horses had to be sturdy, undemanding, uncomplicated, healthy and comfortable to ride. Besides, these animals needed extremely hard and firm hooves as horse shoes were not available. A horse who became lame and could not continue the journey could really get his rider into big trouble. Sound legs, stamina and willingness to work were most important for a breed.
Later, when the first Spanish settlers arrived in the new colonies, these qualities were also quite handy: To manage and operate the huge estates and haziendas it took days on horseback to get around. To make these strenuous journeys as pleasant as possible for the rider, horses with smooth gaits were required which enabled the rider to travel long distances at mid speed in a comfortable way. And, the horses had to be beautiful, outstanding, with enough fire and a gentle character, for, the owners of these vast estates wanted to have mounts complimenting their high ranking position. The desired qualities were accomplished by very selective breeding.
To add some fresh blood, horses had to be repeatedly imported from Spain or other areas of the old world. Another breed who was used for this purpose was the gaited or pacing Narragansett Pacer from North America. The prevailing breeding goal determined which breeds were used to expand the genetic pool in the respective country, and based on the different climate and geographical conditions, the Paso Finos developed into the different modalities. Thus, Paso Fino experts were able to discern a Puerto Rican from a Colombian Paso Fino. These regional differences are vanishing ever more, as nowadays, Colombian stallions and mares are used in Puerto Rico as well.
Beside Colombia and Puerto Rico, Paso Finos can also be found in the following Latin-American countries: Cuba, Panama, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Aruba, Ecuador, Mexico and of course in the Dominican Republic, where Columbus once set the foundations of the breed. The country with the largest Paso Fino population outside South America are the U.S. who have imported Paso Finos since the 1960s. About 80% of these imports have come from Columbia followed by Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela.
Gaits and Conformation
The Paso Fino varies in size between 135 and 155cm. Paso Finos should have a near to perfect conformation with refined but strong bones, small and hard hooves as well as sound and short pasterns.
The Paso Fino gaits easily and naturally – especially the Colombian Paso Fino might show a tendency towards the trocha (a more diagonal 4-beat gait), however, if correctly trained the horse will always perform at a rhythmic and clear lateral 4-beat gait. Paso Finos come in all colors - from snow white to jet black. To satisfy as many needs as possible, the Paso Fino is divided into three different types:
The Pleasure – Type
The Pleasure type is highly suitable for those who enjoy extensive trail rides. These Paso Finos show a natural, clear 4-beat gait at loose reins and little collection. The ground coverage depends on the individual horse but every Pleasure horse should be able to increase the Paso Corto (working speed) to a good Paso Largo (faster speed). Thanks to their nice and gentle disposition Pleasure horses are uncomplicated and easy equine partners under saddle and in daily handling.
The Performance – Type
The Performance type also offers the Paso Corto and the Paso Largo; compared to the Pleasure horse the Performance type should show more collection, vibrancy, charisma and brio. The Performance horse is fiery with a lot of power. Some Performance types are somewhat difficult to ride due to their exuberant temperament. The Performance type is highly suitable for the experienced rider who loves spirited horses with lots of power.
The Classic Fino – Type
The Classic Fino features a proud head carriage at full collection paired with lots of brio. At the shows in the USA and Colombia these horse must perform nothing but “Classic Fino“; a clear, rhythmic and rapid 4-beat gait with as little forward movement as possible. Paso Finos of this type are very popular as show horses in the USA and Latin-America. Nothings holds the crowd on their seats when these horses perform the shortest reverses and tap-dance across the Fino Strip (a long wooden strip to hear if the horses are in gait or not). The rapid footfall which reminds of the sound of snappers and the sheer beauty of these horses are so fascinating that it can hardly be described by words. Only a very small percentage of Paso Fino offspring has the natural abilities to compete successfully in Classic-Fino divisions. Of course, Paso Finos – independent of their type – offer more than just a clear 4-beat gait. Most of them show also a smooth 3-beat canter and a ground covering walk.
There are two additional modalities, in particular in Colombia:
The Trochador or Trocha y Galope
These horses are ridden in a more diagonal 4-beat gait. A good Trochador is as comfortable and smooth to ride as a gaited horse. This type also features a good, rhythmic 3-beat canter.
The Troton Galopero
This type exclusively performs at a walk, trote (trot) and galope (canter). But this modality is also unique in a certain way. The trote doesn’t have a suspension phase and cannot be compared with regular trot, as there is no up and down movement in the saddle and the trote is incredibly comfortable for the rider. Galope is an extremely comfortable, highly collected canter.
Trochadores and Troton Galoperos do not perform a lateral 4-beat gait, but a Paso Fino in general shows trot or trocha. Thus, it is up to the rider’s preference which modality he chooses. The natural talent is the decisive criteria. Any kind of manipulation will lead to disqualification at the shows in the USA and Latin-America. “CONFEPASO“ (the international Paso Fino association) has the strictest show rules of all gaited horse associations. Their rules form the basis of our European show rules.
Usage
The Paso Fino is a very versatile breed; as these horses are very affectionate towards humans and learn fast they can be taught to do anything with the necessary patience and time. Their easiness, sure-footedness and smooth gaits make the Paso Fino into ideal trail horses. Well trained horses can even manage mid-range endurance rides without difficulties. Their handy size and gentle character turn them into ideal family horses. Also Western riders will love them: Thanks to their suppleness and agility they can be used for reining and barrel race disciplines. Since Paso Finos are still frequently used as working horses on cattle farms in Latin America, they are also talented cow horses.
Due to their extremely smooth gaits Paso Finos are increasingly popular among people who suffer from back problems, even outside the USA. Paso Finos are often used for therapeutic riding, too. They also look very elegant in front of a light sulky. Experienced riders can even teach Paso Finos classic dressage elements.
Riding a Paso Fino
As already explained Paso Finos are suitable for all disciplines. During the basic training the focus should be on subtleness, flexibility and a rhythmic, cadenced lateral 4-beat gait. The traditional way of riding a Paso Fino is similar to Western riding. Light rein contact is required but no pressure. Otherwise minimal aids, primarily body aids suffice.
General Overview
With its ability to gait and his noble character the Paso Fino has literally taken the USA by storm: Today more than 35.000 Paso Finos are registered by the American Paso Fino Horse Association, and the number is steadily growing.
In Europe, and in particular in Germany, more and more people buy a Paso Fino and horses are still imported from the USA or the countries of origin (the latter is rather seldom as the import regulations are very complex) and the European breeders cannot yet satisfy the growing demand for Paso Finos.