How to Select a Paso Fino

By eHow Pets Editor

Instructions

Step 1:
Know that Christopher Columbus brought horses with him on his second journey to the New World in 1494 which were a mixture of Barb, Andalusian and Spanish Jennet breeds and were called "Los Caballos de Paso Fino," the horses with fine step.
Step 2:
Appreciate the Pasos fiery "Brio," which is a natural fire in their being or spirit, but also know they are very affectionate and easy to ride.
Step 3:
Identify the Paso by its long flowing mane, tail and forelock.
Step 4:
See that Pasos have a compact body, stand between 13 and 15.2 hands with the average around 14 hands, and weigh 700 to 1,000 pounds.
Step 5:
Understand that the Paso has very strong hooves that rarely need shoeing.
Step 6:
Enjoy the beauty of a Paso with its powerful neck, long forearms and athletic body.
Step 7:
Know that the Paso has three major gaits, the Classic Fino, which is slow with a rapid footfall, the Paso Cordo which is an average trail-paced trot, and the Paso Largo, which is the fastest of the gaits with a long leg extension and stride.
Step 8:
Enjoy the good physical balance, quick, sure-footedness and athleticism of a Paso Fino which makes them ideal ranch or trail horses.

Tips & Warnings

Paso Finos are born with a natural gait that feels almost as if its legs are moving in synchronization, rhythmically lifting both feet on one side at a time, when in actuality the horse is quickly picking up each foot. The movement is so quick there is little movement in the horse's back and shoulders, creating a very smooth and quick ride.
Contact the Paso Fino Horse Association at 101 N. Collins Street, Plant City, FL 33566-3311. (813) 719-7777.
Horses have personalities just as humans do and it is wise to take time to get to know an individual horse before purchasing it.

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