The History of the Paso Fino

The Paso Fino horse’s journey to the Americas began more than 500 years ago with the importation of Andalusians, Spanish Barbs from North Africa, and smooth gaited Spanish Jennets (now extinct as a breed) to the “New World” by Spanish Conquistadors.

Bred for their stamina, smooth gait and beauty, “Los Caballos de Paso Fino” — the horses with the fine walk — served as the foundation stock for remount stations of the Conquistadors. Descendents of the Conquistadors’ horses are believed to have spread into North America after the Spanish soldiers forayed for a brief time into this territory.

The modern-day mustang has traces of his Spanish forbears. Our own Nez Perce Indian tribe may have mixed some Spanish stock into their famous Appaloosas, whose name is derived from the Palouse River region of the Nez Perce’s tribal homeland in Oregon.

Awareness of the Paso Fino as we know it today didn’t spread outside Latin America until after WWII, when American servicemen came into contact with the stunning Paso Fino horse while stationed in Puerto Rico.

Americans began importing Paso Fino horses from Puerto Rico in the mid-1940s. Two decades later, many Paso Fino horses began to be imported from Colombia. For a while, there was some contention as to which country produced the “true” Paso Fino.

Though there are still some self-professed “purists” who advocate for one or the other country, the American Paso Fino — true to our “melting pot” tradition — is often a blend of the best of Puerto Rican and Colombian bloodlines.

The Unique Gait of the Paso Fino Horse
The Paso Fino

The Paso Fino gait is performed at three forward speeds and with varying degrees of collection. In all speeds of the gait, the rider should appear virtually motionless in the saddle, and there should be no perceptible up and down motion of the horse’s croup

1. Classic Fino – Full collection, with very slow forward speed. The footfall is extremely rapid while the steps and extension are exceedingly short.
2. Paso Corto – Forward speed is moderate, with full to moderate collection. Steps are ground-covering but unhurried, executed with medium extension and stride.
3. Paso Largo – The fastest speed of the gait, executed with a longer extension
and stride, and moderate to minimal collection. Forward speed varies with the individual horse, since each horse should attain its top speed in harmony with its own natural stride and cadence.

The Paso Fino gait is performed at three forward speeds and with varying degrees of collection. In all speeds of the gait, the rider should appear virtually motionless in the saddle, and there should be no perceptible up and down motion of the horse’s croup

1. Classic Fino – Full collection, with very slow forward speed. The footfall is extremely rapid while the steps and extension are exceedingly short.
2. Paso Corto – Forward speed is moderate, with full to moderate collection. Steps are ground-covering but unhurried, executed with medium extension and stride.
3. Paso Largo – The fastest speed of the gait, executed with a longer extension
and stride, and moderate to minimal collection. Forward speed varies with the individual horse, since each horse should attain its top speed in harmony with its own natural stride and cadence.

The Paso Fino is capable of executing other gaits that are natural to horses, including therelaxed walk, the canter and the gallop.

About the Paso Fino Horse
The Paso Fino horse reflects its Spanish heritage through its proud carriage, grace and elegance. Modern care and selective breeding have enhanced its beauty, refinement and well-proportioned conformation that convey strength and power without extreme muscling. With its lively but controlled spirit, natural gait and presence, and responsive attitude, the Paso Fino is indeed, a rare and desirable equine partner in the show ring, on the competitive trail rides and on that Sunday afternoon pleasure ride.

Growing in Popularity
The ancient history of the Paso Fino is fast becoming the future of show and pleasure horses in the U.S. and beyond. The Paso Fino is a recognized breed of United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). To demonstrate its versatility, Paso Fino horses compete in Western classes (Trail and Versatility), as well as costume and Pleasure Driving.

Paso Fino horses compete in endurance rides, including the 100 mile rides, sponsored by the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) and the competitive trail rides sponsored by the North American Trail Ride Conference (NATRC). They compete in team penning events, drill team competitions, and are always the crowd pleaser at parades.

They continue to grow in popularity, as one by one, converts are won over through the Paso Fino horse experience. If you test ride a Paso Fino horse, you will quickly display the infamous “Paso Grin”. You just can’t help yourself when you ride the smoothest and most willing horse.   For more information contact :  www.pfha.org