How to Select a Paso Fino

The Paso Fino "Fine Gait" Horse is known as the Cadillac of horses for its smooth gait and ride.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Know that Christopher Columbus brought horses with him on his second journey to the New World in 1494 which were a mixture of Barb, Andalusian and Spanish Jennet breeds and were called "Los Caballos de Paso Fino," the horses with fine step.
2. Appreciate the Pasos fiery "Brio," which is a natural fire in their being or spirit, but also know they are very affectionate and easy to ride.
3. Identify the Paso by its long flowing mane, tail and forelock.
4. See that Pasos have a compact body, stand between 13 and 15.2 hands with the average around 14 hands, and weigh 700 to 1,000 pounds.
5. Understand that the Paso has very strong hooves that rarely need shoeing.
6. Enjoy the beauty of a Paso with its powerful neck, long forearms and athletic body.
7. Know that the Paso has three major gaits, the Classic Fino, which is slow with a rapid footfall, the Paso Cordo which is an average trail-paced trot, and the Paso Largo, which is the fastest of the gaits with a long leg extension and stride.
8. Enjoy the good physical balance, quick, sure-footedness and athleticism of a Paso Fino which makes them ideal ranch or trail horses.

Tips & Warnings

• Paso Finos are born with a natural gait that feels almost as if its legs are moving in synchronization, rhythmically lifting both feet on one side at a time, when in actuality the horse is quickly picking up each foot. The movement is so quick there is little movement in the horse's back and shoulders, creating a very smooth and quick ride.
• Contact the Paso Fino Horse Association at 101 N. Collins Street, Plant City, FL 33566-3311. [phone].
• Horses have personalities just as humans do and it is wise to take time to get to know an individual horse before purchasing it.