Peruvian Paso Horse
Modified: 30-11--0001 00:00:00
THE PERUVIAN PASO
The Paso, or Peruvian Stepping Horse, is the most prominent of the Peruvian breeds. It was developed more than 300 years by wonderfully skilful and highly selective breeding.... it is thought to be made up of three quarters Barb blood and one quarter Andalucian. It is also noted for its natural, entirely unique, lateral gait. This gait, although similar to the rack of the American Saddlebred, or the running walk of the Tennessee Walking Horse and the Missouri Fox Trotter, is marked by a characteristically energetic, round, dishing action of the forelegs, supported by a powerful movement of the hind legs overstepping the prints of the forefeet. The quarters are noticeably lowered and the back is held straight and rigid.
The Paso can maintain a steady 18 km/h (11 mph) for long periods over rough mountain country, and can reach a top speed of 21 km/h (13 mph) without discomfort to the rider. Indeed, the action is said to be so smooth that a rider can carry a full glass of water without spilling it. The hind legs and hind pasterns are very long and the joints unusually flexible, both factors which contribute to the smoothness of the gait.
Like all Criollo-based stock, the Paso also has excellent bone and feet, as well as a huge heart and lungs in relation to its size. It usually stands between 1.42 and 1.52 m (14-15 hh), and all colors occur.
The Paso Fino, originally from Puerto Rico, is a gaited breed related to the Peruvian Paso. It has a virtually four-beat gait, divided into paso fino; paso corto, in which more ground is covered with each step; and paso largo, the fast, extended gait.
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