The Paso Fino has a proud past and is one of the oldest native breeds of horse in the Western Hemisphere. In 1492, Columbus discovered a continent without horses. On his second voyage from Spain, he brought a select group of mares and stallions from the provinces of Andalusia and Cordela, and settled them at Santa Domingo. These horses were a mixture of Barb, Andalusian and Spanish Jennet. The Spanish Jennet not only possessed an extremely comfortable saddle gait, but also was able to pass the gait on to its offspring. The result of the blending of these horses was horses with an incredibly smooth gait, which would evolve into the Paso Fino breed.

These horses were the foundation stock for the remount stations of the Conquistadors. As Spanish settlers came to the New World, they brought more Spanish horses. During the nearly 500 years that Paso Fino Horses have been selectively bred and perfected in the Western Hemisphere, they have been called upon to perform a diverse role, first in the conquest of, and then in the exploration and development of the Americas.

Breed Characteristics

The head of the Paso Fino should be refined and in good proportion to the body of the horse, neither extremely small nor large with the preferred profile being straight. Eyes are large and well spaced, very expressive and alert, and should not show excessive white around the edges. Ears are comparatively short, set close, and curved inward at the tips. The lips should be firm and the nostrils large and dilatable. Jaws are defined but not extreme. The impression should be of a well-shaped, alert, and intelligent face.

The neck should be gracefully arched, medium in length and set on at an angle to allow high carriage, breaking at the poll. Throat latch should be refined and well-defined. Shoulders are sloping into the withers with great depth through the heart. Chest is moderate in width.

The withers are defined but not pronounced and slope smoothly into the back. The midsection is moderate in length with a well-sprung rib cage. the topline should be proportionately shorter than the underline. The back should be strong and muscled. The midsection should join the forehand and the hindquarters so as to give the horse a pleasing, proportioned appearance.

Regarding the hindquarters, the croup is slightly sloping with rounded hips, broad loins, and strong hocks. The tail is carried gracefully when horse is in motion.

The legs are straight with refined bones and strong, well defined tendons and broad, long fore-arms with shorter cannons. Thigh and gaskins are strong and muscled, but not exaggerated. Standing slightly under in the rear is typical. Pasterns are sloping and medium in length. Bones are straight, sound and flat, and joints are strong and well defined. The hooves are well rounded, proportionate in size, and do not show excessive heel.

Mane, tail and forelock should be as long, full and luxurious as nature can provide. No artificial additions or alterations are allowed. A bridle path not exceeding 4" is acceptable.

Size ranges from 13 to 15.2 hands with 13.3 to 14.2 being the most typical. Weight ranges from 700 to 1100 lbs. Full size may not be attained until the fifth year.

Every equine color can be found, with or without white markings. The disposition of the Paso Fino is marked by an extremely willing horse that truly seems to enjoy human companionship and strives to please. Spirited and responsive under tack; sensible and gentle at hand.

The Paso Fino is a four-beat lateral gait, the birthright of every Paso Fino. Newborn foals struggle to their feet and take their first faltering steps in gait. The Paso Fino can walk freely, and many of them can perform a collected canter of a relaxed lope as well. It is essentially a broken pace: it is lateral, not diagonal. The cadence of the 1,2,3,4, beat is rhythmic with equal time intervals between hoof beat. There is very little up and down movement in either the croup or the shoulder of the horse. The gait is performed at three speeds with the collection decreasing as speed increases. Paso Fino means "Fine Step".

The Paso Fino is a versatile horse, able to adapt to a variety of climates and purposes. They are now commonly found throughout the United States and Canada, and also in Puerto Rico, Columbia, and throughout South America. The Paso Fino demonstrates its remarkable versatility not just in the show ring, but on competitive trail and endurance rides, in dressage, rodeo, and working cattle.

There are more than 200,000 Paso Fino horses throughout Central and South America. CONFEPASO (Confederation of Paso Fino) a confederation of eight countries, Europe, United States, Puerto Rico, Columbia, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Panama and Aruba was formed for the purpose of international competition. It has held three Mundial (World Cups) since 1993. The first in the Dominican Republic, the second in 1996 in Puerto Rico and the third Mundial hosted by Cali, Columbia in October of 1997. Plans are underway to host the fourth Mundial in the United States in 1999.

The National Paso Fino Horse Association headquarters is located in Plant City, Florida. The Association has had tremendous growth rate in excess of 55% from 1992 through 1997. There are 21 regions within the Association. Twenty within the continental United States, and one in Europe.

For More Information, Contact:

The Paso Fino Horse Association
101 North Collins Street
Plant City, FL 33566-3311

Telephone: (813) 719-7777
Fax (813) 719-7872.
Web Site: http://www.pasofino.org