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The Pure
Puerto Rican Paso Fino stands out within the Paso Fino breed for
a number of reasons. Its gait is instinctual not trained. Breaks
in training will not cause one of these horses to stop gaiting.
The gait is foolproof. A skilled rider will enjoy the finest of
the Paso Fino gaits and cadence but even a beginner with some
training will soon enjoy a ride considered the smoothest, most
comfortable available to today's rider. The Pure Puerto Rican
Paso Fino are as exciting to ride for pleasure or competition as
any other Paso Fino. However, we find that this Paso Fino has a
calmness and common sense as well as intelligence and spirit.
They still get themselves into tight situations as any horse
will but its the final outcome that will normally come as a
pleasant surprise to the experienced horse owner. We had a four
year old stand after getting his rear leg caught in a fence not
only while the rider dismounted but continue to wait while help
arrived to disassemble the fence and free him. On another
occasion during a trail ride the horses were spooked by a herd
of deer. Our Paso Fino riders were pleased at only having to
wait while the other rider remounted her steed and not getting
themselves off the ground. These are only a couple of examples
of the ways Paso Finos continue to surprise us. |
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They are a loyal, spirited, graceful and
athletic horse that delivers an exceptionally smooth and
comfortable ride because of its natural four-beat lateral gait.
Its gait and collected ride absorbs the roughness of the terrain
on its joints and back. They are beautiful and powerful. Long
luxurious full forelocks and manes accentuate the arched sinuous
muscular neck and shoulders. Beautiful tails flow from their
strong hind quarters to the ground. Paso Fino are naturally
surefooted and quick with extremely durable hooves. Unless
traveling frequently on hard or rocky surfaces this horse is
seldom shod. |
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The Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino is genetically
gifted with its gait. Other horses can not learn to gait as a
Paso Fino. In 1509 Juan Ponce de Leon brought the first horses
from Spain. A blend of the Berber (known as the Barb), the
Spanish and later the Andalusian genetics and 500 years of
selective breeding have produced the Paso Fino. This horse
ranges in size from 13.2 up to 15.2 hands with an average of 14
hands. Paso Finos are born in a variety of colors including
black, bay, chestnut, palomino, grey, roan and pinto.
Although a Paso Fino can walk, canter and gallop
like other horses. It delivers its delightfully smooth ride in
three primary speeds of its natural four-beat gait. Classic Fino
is used for show purposes only and has the same forward speed as
a slow walk. At this speed the horse holds itself fully
collected and balanced though the leg motion is exciting and
fantastic. Though the forward motion is smooth and slow the
footfall is fast with each hoof beating the ground in rapid
sequence. The Paso Corto is similar in speed to a trot. This
trail gait though moderate in speed allows the rider to cover a
good distance leisurely. The medium extension and stride of this
speed of the natural four-beat gait is smooth and can be ridden
for hours without tiring a healthy well-conditioned horse. The
fastest speed, Paso Largo, is performed with a longer stride,
extension and varying degrees of collection. The forward speed
is different for each horse since it should attain its top speed
synchronized with its own natural tempo and stride.
A Paso Fino is a versatile horse. They can be
ridden for a variety of events from a pleasurable quiet trail
ride to the show circuit. Competition trail rides, endurance
rides, barrel racing, gymkhana, gaiting in the show ring, team
penning and roping or ranching are all possible on the back of a
Paso Fino.
Training
and Lessons
Meet Maria Juana B.
Paso Pictures
Contact Frosty
Acres:
Barbara B. Nichols
FROSTY ACRES PASO FINO FARM
1431 Route 286
EXPORT, PA 15632
Phone: 724-325-2078
Bayamo01@comcast.net
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