How to Ride a Peruvian Paso Horse
Larger relatives of the Paso Fino horse, Peruvian Pasos are Spanish-gaited saddle horses, distinguished by a smooth, four-beat gait known as the paso llano. Like many other breeds of gaited saddle horses, the Peruvian Paso is recommended for riders with joint problems or injuries, and is well known for its endurance abilities. Peruvian Pasos are considered the luxury breed among gaited saddle horses, because of the smoothness of their gait.
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Instructions
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Select your riding venue. Depending on your skill level, you can ride your Peruvian Paso in a training ring, on a trail or out in a pasture. Novice riders should choose safe locations with few distractions, while a more experienced rider may prefer a more challenging course.
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Select your mount. Your choice of horse should depend largely upon your riding abilities. Beginners should choose mounts that are well trained and of an easy temperament. A more seasoned rider would be better suited for an especially spirited mount, or one that is still in the early stages of training for a rider. Riders with joint problems, or those who suffer discomfort from riding, should seek out Peruvian Pasos with especially smooth gaits, to ease the discomfort.
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Tack up your Peruvian Paso. Using either your own tack, or tack provided to you, fit the Paso with both a saddle and bridal. Make sure you adjust all the straps to fit accordingly, as Peruvian Pasos tend to be smaller than many other riding breeds. If you are uncertain about the placement of a piece of tack, ask someone who is more experienced with horsemanship to help you.
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Mount up. Placing your left foot in the left stirrup, reach up and grasp the reigns and horse's mane with your left hand, and grip the back of the saddle with your right. Lift yourself into the saddle, and lower yourself down into the seat. Find your balance in the seat of the saddle, as this is the most important step for maximizing the comfort of your ride on a Peruvian Paso. Your body should be positioned in a naturally vertical angle, with no leaning. Rest your knees against the Paso, without squeezing.
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Position your legs in the saddle. Your legs should rest down naturally against the sides of the Paso, with a slight bend in the knee. Your legs should not be stretching to reach the stirrups, nor should they be bending your knees past a 45-degree angle. Your leg should feel as if it could wrap around the Peruvian Paso's belly, to give signals as you ride. Peruvian Pasos are very responsive to riding signals and cues, making it important for your legs to be properly positioned.
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Take the reigns in your dominant hand. Gather the reigns into only one hand. Your hand should remain soft and a little loose. You should be able to feel the movement of the Paso's head, without restricting him or pulling his head backwards or to the side. Your hand should rest on top of your thigh as you ride, or should be raised in front of you, depending on your riding style.
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Signal the Peruvian Paso to begin moving forward. This can be done by a gentle squeeze and release of the knees, or with a verbal command. Walk the Paso in a wide circle, to help you adjust to the movement and feeling of the gait of the horse. Watch the movement of the legs, and loosen your hips so that your body moves easily with the gait. Once you are comfortable with the motion of the four-beat gait, you can begin your ride.
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References
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