The Peruvian Paso is one of the most popular natural gaited horse breeds. They are the medium-sized horse that came to South America in the 16th century from Spain. They maintain their bloodline in an adequate manner as a pure breed and excellent for the rider. Peruvian Paso declared as the cultural heritage of Peru by the National Institute of Culture due to its unique characteristics. Another name of the Horse is Peruvian Horse or Peruvian Stepping horse.
What is the Difference Between a Peruvian Paso and a Paso Fino?
Peruvian Paso and Paso Fino are not the same horse breed. Many thought that both horse breeds are the same. The Paso Fino, a non-gaited horse, originated in America from Mustang and American Quarter Horse. The Peruvian horse is a naturally four-beat, gaited horse, originated in Spain from Andalusian, Barbs, and extinct Jennet horse breeds. The horse has a four-beat lateral ambling gait, which is unique than Paso Fino. This breed was conquistador’s for beauty, stamina, and all-day-long smooth gait riding.
1. Origin and History of Peruvian Paso Horse
The horse was brought to South America by the Spanish during the 16th century when they conquer it. The horse was originated from the bloodline of Andalusian, the Spanish Jennet, the Barb, and the Friesian horse breeds. This is one of the oldest natural gaited horses in the world. Over time, the bloodline of the horse was kept clean for gait, temperament, and conformation.
2. Name of Peruvian Paso
The horse originated from few Spanish horses, and the bloodline was purely maintained in the Republic of Peru for las couple of centuries. The horse is distinguished by its unique four-beat gait; Paso llano. These two words Peru and Paso have taken for the nomenclature of the horse breeds; Peruvian Paso. The ancestors of the breed Jennet gave ambling gait, the Barb provided stamina and strength, the Andalusian and Friesian contributed style, action, and conformation.
3. Physical Characteristics
The horse is a medium-sized height range from 14-15.2 hands and body weight in an average 900-1000 lbs. They are an elegant horse with a powerful neck, solid body, deep chest, sturdy, muscular, short back, well-sprung ribs, and a short tail. The stallion has a broader chest and wider neck than the mares.
4. Color and Marking of the Horse
The horse is of a variety of colors like chestnut, black, brown, buskin, bay, dun, palomino, or roan. Solid colors, dark, and greys are the most desirable. The forelock and mane are lustrous, abundant, and elegant. The white markings on the face and legs are acceptable.
5. Unique Traits of Peruvian Horse
The horse is the only horse of the world having naturally four-beat gait the Paso Ilano. The foal can show four-beat gat just after 2 hours of birth. The pace is excellent for covering long distances without tiring. The horse is protected or maintained its purity by the government since 1992 and declared as National cultural heritage. It is well known that the horse called Rolls Royce racing horse.
6. How Peruvian Paso Gaits?
The gait of Peruvian Paso is as fast as an extended trot or slow canter and as quiet as walk. Both gaits are entirely natural. They move on a walk-in four-beat pace like we can hear four distinct sounds on the ground while walking. They move two-beat gait during the trot. Again they can move specific four-beat ambling gait and broken ambling. The mechanism of movement can be lateral two-beat gait: pace or ambladura, pasiamblado, Paso Llano, Pasitrote, and trot.
7. The Incredible Glide
Peruvian Paso has born as a naturally gaited horse. Under the saddle, they can perform three four-beat gaits like walk, slow, and even Paso llano. The natural gaits are all translational or forward movement; no bounce or vertical movement appears for the rider. This is why the farmer can stay on his horse for a longer time. They show a high degree of collection and self-carriage. “Termino,” the unique natural movement of the Peruvian horse, also seen in other horses of Spanish Bloodline.
8. Unique Confirmation of the Horse
The natural gait of the Peruvian horse comes from unique conformation. The neck is straight, upright, and muscular where the head is placed proudly. Legs are well developed with definite tendons, long hind legs, and flexible joints. The horse has a rounded croup with a short quiet tail. They require a saddle with a more massive tree; hunt seats, plantation saddle, and endurance saddle are most famous for the Peruvian horse.
9. Peruvian Paso Horse Show
Every year two international Peruvian horse show competitions arranged by the “National Horse Competition Caballo de Peruano” at Pachacamac in the month of September-October. The other game is “Internacional de la Primavera” in Trujillo city in the month of January. The Peru government declared the Horse a National Cultural Heritage in the year of 1992. If you visit Lima, you can witness the horse show.
10. Allegro Con Brio
The word “Brio” indicates the energy, vigor, stamina, willingness to work, courage, exuberance, and liveliness that placed on the qualities of a horse. The speed and dancing like the movement of Peruvian Paso come from this Brio. Due to the presence of Brio, the horse can travel long distances without tiring. The breed is curious, sensitive, friendly, but unflappable. They are easy to train and fit for an extensive range of riders.
11. Appreciation of Peruvian Paso
Peruvian horse is the first choice for many riders for its outstanding qualities and stamina. They are ideal for any passengers and well-balanced. They are appreciated in many environments and locations. The most common appreciations are:
- People working or own large agricultural farms.
- Fit for Trail and competitive riders.
- Endurance horse riding.
- They are fit for kids and smaller riders.
- An excellent ally for you in untamed life and livestock.
- Ideal for the riders who ride in hilly or rough terrain.
- An ideal horse for Equine therapy.
- Best horse breeds for physically disables, injured persons, kids, and women.
Final Talks on Peruvian Paso
Many of you have surprised to read the excellent characteristics of Peruvian horses. I was also excited to read the information about the superb horse breed from various sources. The concise information that I have accumulated in this article will enhance your knowledge. You will fall in extreme love with this outstanding horse. The Peruvian Paso is really appreciative of fulfilling your choice.
