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Comparison of Paso type Horses
While the word Paso may be included with other words in horse breeds it does not mean that they are all completely of the same characteristics. The two main types are the Paso Fino and the Peruvian . They may have both been from the same root ( historically accepted as being brought from spain by Columbus on his second voyage) Andalusians, Spanish Barbs from North Africa, and the smooth-gaited Spanish Jennet (which actually don't exist anymore as a breed) . The Jennets smooth gait was found to be inherited even while being bred to the other breeds. It was the start of the importation of these horses which were used as mounts for the conquistadors and later for the plantation owners. The amalgamation of these horses had refined a gait that was able to be genetically passed on and the breed became known as the 'Los Caballos de Paso Fino'. These horses were used as the foundation stock at the remount stations. Centuries of selective breeding created distinct branches of the horse of which we will concentrate on the two types the Paso Fino and the Peruvian Paso.
The Paso Fino strain seems to have started in Puerto Rico and Columbia and spread out to Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Aruba,Venezuela, and other parts of the caribbean.
The Peruvian breeders believe that their horse was more of a pure blood that was brought over as war horses not as breeding horses. They further believe that there was less mixing (after the initial breeding that gave them the war horses) due to the geography and status with other breeds than with the Paso Fino....As a footnote ; So strong was the belief of the genetic purity of the breed that in the 1940s' when a trend started to mix Peruvians with other breeds, Antonio Graña, the permanent judge of the national show declared that no 'mixed' blood would be able to show or compete which further had the result that no such horse could be sold or given away. The accepted story is that the 'mixes' where "wiped of the face of the earth"
Note : While the general belief is that the true Paso Fino stock was first introduced to North America by the american soldiers returning home from Puerto rico etc after WWII, it must be noted that the american mustangs have a very strong connection to the Paso Fino as did the Conquistadors that had abandoned them here. The same soldiers would have used the same types of horses and there was travel between north and south america during many of the campaigns. The borders of many of the countries did not appear until after the Spanish conquests.
The differences of the two breeds can be readily seen even by those with less than an experienced eye. The Peruvian horse has an average of between 14.2 and 15.2 hands , the Paso Fino has an average height of between 13.1 to 14.5 ,,( either breed can have larger horses but this is the most common average ) . The weight can fall usually to between 900 to 1100 lbs for Peruvian and 700 to 1100 in the Paso Fino.
The Peruvian is better known as having a wider more visible hip across the back, although it is not uncommon for Finos to also display this. Both should have a muscular athletic build with a thin girth to the shoulders but deep whiter to bottom line chests.( In this they are different than other breeds as they are not 'bulky' or 'thick' even for the shorter height. (While a distance runner and a weightlifter may be in the same physical excellence they are very different body types) They are both known to have a small back length as in the Arab family but neither should have an overly prominent shoulder or rump height proportion.
The trimming on the hoof of the Peruvian causes the pastern to have more of an angle as the rear of the hoof is short while leaving the front longer. The Fino hoof is cut more even to the ground (front to back )giving the pastern a more commonly familiar look.
The rump of the Peruvian is expected to have a more tucked under look especially while in gait as the breed will roll the rear end more towards the front and further under the body forward of the hip. The Fino will have a more relaxed rump that sits more flat with the legs under the hip.The Fino will push the rear end forward in gait but not to the extent of the Peruvian.
The Peruvian is said to have a more forward reach with the front legs than the Fino, but this is relative to the gait being used as well as the horse. At one time in the past the Peruvian was better known for distance while the Fino was used more for the classical fino gait as prestige with very little distance per step being preferred. This is now less true in that there is more activity with the Corto that has a medium reach and the Largo with a well extended reach. ( the Largo breed of Paso is actually bred with a far extended reach and known for a forward set of the shoulders ( as in the Coral Lace line)).
The Peruvian has a definite Termino which many would call a flair out or wing step, the most accepted description is one that compares this to a swimmer doing a relaxed Australian crawl. This is believed by many to be a solely Peruvian trait although other breeds may display it and some Peruvians may not. Apparently some old world owners who were more interested in extreme distance would forgo the Termino in favor of a less energetic ' inline' step. For the most part it was a desirable trait that was harvested for the aesthetic effect and under the belief that it did not effect endurance.
Both breeds exhibit the Brio that was part and parcel of the origins of the breeds found in the spanish bloodlines which has been another trait that has survived . ( which may only be surpassed by the brio of the people riding them ). The spirit and the elegance of both breeds is displayed in their affection and loyalty to their riders and their striving to compete with other horses regardless of breed.
The Fino can exhibit the Termino in some horses either part of or most of the time. However this is considered to be a detriment to the breed standard.The Termino in either horse can effect Judging as a plus in Peruvian and a minus in Fino.
Traditionally the Peruvian was ridden in a peruvian style saddle and south american garb, while the Paso was more inclined to be ridden in spanish tack with spanish garb. The Peruvian style was to keep the riders uniform in appearance to highlight the horse whereas the Paso riders were more inclined to elaborate spanish outfits that were meant to showcase the spanish tradition of the horse. At present it is not unusual to see both breeds ridden in traditional , western, english, or other style of tack.
The trend in former years was toward dark solid colors in both breeds but today it usual and accepted to see them in almost any color or colors except for the Appaloosa displays.
The Peruvian seems to have generally one accepted standard of the breed where the Paso(Fino) has other recognized breed types stemming from them. Some of the breeds are based on the gait/body conformation (Fino,Corto,Largo) as others are based on the color sets ( Paso Paint, Tiger Paso ,etc).
No matter what the breed name or standard of preference it is true that no matter what the differences may be that at some time they came from at least some of the same roots and that the traits that they were bred for have survived into the present day. Whether you want/have a particular Paso breed ( Peruvian, Fino, Largo, etc) the Paso family in any form must be admired for the similarities and desired for the individual differences.
