The Paso Fino may look like an ordinary horse - but it is not! Its characteristic natural 4 beat gait sets this breed apart from all other breeds to make it the smoothest riding horse in the world. The gait of the Paso Fino is genetic and normally exhibited from birth. The footfall is the same pattern as a walk – left rear, left fore, right rear, right fore. Each foot contacts the ground independently in a regular, evenly spaced sequence at precise intervals creating a rapid, unbroken rhythm. The sound of the hoof beats should be absolutely even in cadence and impact. The Paso Fino propels itself primarily from the hind legs while the motion is absorbed in its back and loins. Thus there is no up and down movement of the horse’s croup and that is why there is no bounce when riding as there would be at the jog and trot of other breeds.
The Paso Fino gait is performed at three speeds. The slowest is the Classic Fino where the horse is fully collected, the footfall is extremely rapid while the steps and extension are very short. This gait is used primarily for show, or showing off as the case may be, and is more rare.
The intermediate speed of the Paso Fino gait is known as the Paso Corto. At the Paso Corto, the horse is collected and its steps are ground-covering but unhurried. The speed is comparable to a trot. This is the gait most often used in trail and pleasure riding. The show type horse will take rapid steps at this gait, while the trail type horse will move with a slower footfall.
The fastest speed of the Paso Fino gait is the Paso Largo. This is executed with a longer extension and stride and sometimes a more moderate collection. The speed of each horse’s largo will vary depending on the extension which can be achieved given the horse’s conformation and power. In the show ring it is not the fastest largo that earns the most points, but instead it is the evident change in speed from the corto to largo that the judges wish to see. Riders wishing to cover lots of ground on the trails may use this form of gait as a primary factor in their decision to buy a horse.
Paso Finos also are capable of performing a normal equine canter or lope and some show classes require these gaits. Many Paso Finos actually prefer the corto or largo as their primary gait, as do many new riders who come into the breed for the silky smooth ride.
The Paso Fino has had a long history in the Americas. Its ancestors were first brought to the Caribbean Islands by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage from Spain and were bred to be the mounts of the Spanish Conquistadors. Centuries of selective breeding by those who colonized the Caribbean and Latin America produced variations of the “Caballo de Criollo”, among them the Paso Fino that flourished initially in Puerto Rico and Colombia, and later in other Latin American countries – primarily Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Aruba, and Venezuela. The Paso Fino didn’t make its way into the United States until after World War II. The U.S. servicemen stationed in Puerto Rico during the war discovered the Paso Fino and were the first to import them to back to the United States after the war. During the 1960’s and 1970’s many Paso Finos 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 most often a blend of the best of Puerto Rican and Colombian bloodlines.
The Paso Fino has a proud, graceful carriage and a lively but controlled spirit which is called brio. Its size varies between 13 and 15.2 hands and it comes in all equine colors with a variety of white markings. It is sure footed and athletic and can be trained to drive, to participate in cow penning and endurance competitions, and to be a trustworthy trail horse. Because the natural gait insures that at least two feet are in contact with the ground at all times, the Paso Fino has an inbred stability which makes it suitable for all types of terrain. In addition, because the gait is natural, training only serves to refine the gait and direct the horse for its intended purpose, whether it be a show career, trail career, or a bit of both. Because there are no artificial devices used in training, and shoes (if used) are kept to a minimum size and weight with no padding allowed, a show horse can actually be trained out on the trails to keep it sound in mind and body. In fact, many well-known Paso Fino trainers use trail training as a key ingredient to their training regimens. A Paso Fino can easily be a show horse during the summer months and be kept in condition as a trail horse in the off-season during the winter. Not every horse can be a show horse, but most show horses have great dispositions and can easily double as reliable trail mounts. This factor gives the owner who wants to both show and trail ride the opportunity to do both on one horse, if the right horse is chosen.
