Origins of the Paso Fino
To try an historical study of the evolution and settlement of the descendants of the horses brought by the conquistadors to America is a very complex matter. The horse was an animal unknown by the inhabitants of the new continent. All of the native breeds are actually imported and descendants of those horses that cam with the Spanish settlers five centuries ago. Despite the fact that horses arrived everywhere in the Americas during the first hundred years after the discovery, only in some privileged areas was the original gait of the Spanish horse preserved through the centuries. The reason is just speculative. The equine history in the new world has too many blanks to enable a clear picture of it. There are, of course, several authorized opinions by prestigious historians of that epoch, but they are just that, opinions.
For the purpose of this primer, history demands just a few references. The first Paso horse was brought to Santo Domingo by Columbus on his second voyage in 1493. There are discussions regarding the exact number and quality of those animals. It seems that there were 5 mares and 20 stallions. They were probably a mixture of the Spanish Jennet and the Spanish Barb of North Africa, and the Andalusion. The Spanish Jennet contributed the easy-gaited, smooth-riding qualities. The Andalusion is responsible for many of the conformation characteristics of the current Paso Fino horse.
Shortly after the New World discovery the breed disappeared in Europe. The reasons are equally unclear. Paso Finos have bee bred for hundreds of years throughout South America and the Caribbean, especially Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. With the advancement of colonization, the horse that descended from the Spanish Jennet, perhaps the strongest blood influence, became increasingly more valuable as a gentlemen’s mount and a strong reliable workhorse.
PASO FINOS – SMOOTHEST RIDING HORSE IN THE WORLD
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R & S Paso Fino Stables R & S Paso Fino Stables
Trainer – Rick Shaffer Owner – Dick Shaffer
3079 Waterlevel Road 277 Paso Fino Road
Somerset, PA 15501 Meyersdale, PA 15552
(814) 444-0622 (814) 634-0900
rspaso@shol.com
EVERYTHING YOU HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT PASO FINO HORSES
1. What does Paso Fino mean? The literal translation from Spanish means fine step. The Paso Fino is guaranteed to be smoother than any other gaited horse.
2. Is this a new breed? Yes and no. It is new because it is a minority breed in the United States and unknown to many. It is just now being introduced to the American peoples as a new breed. But the breed can be traced back to the Spanish conquistadors. In fact Christopher Columbus brought the first to the Americas.
3. Why is the Paso Fino so smooth? Because of the unique characteristics of its natural gait. The up and down movement is absent when the horse is advancing. Usually, when riding any other breed, even a good saddle horse, you have to accept this up and down movement. Your stomach, kidneys, and spleen have to adapt. This does not happen on a Paso Fino. This is why it has been nicknamed “The Rolls Royce of Horses”. The footfall makes the difference.
4. Being so elegant in style and gait, have they also the strength and stamina? Yes!! It is not a big and heavy horse, so you don’t need a ladder to get on, but at the same time it is an athletic horse, with lots of brio (energy) and great brilliance.
5. Besides having a beautiful and comfortable gait, what else can a Paso Fino do? They are a very versatile horse. The top of the line classic fino is, of course, the most sophisticated gait in the show ring. The Paso Fino makes a great trail riding horse and pleasure riding. They are a fun horse for the whole family.
6. Who can ride a Paso Fino? Anyone!!! They are not just for the professional of the skilled riders, but also for people of all ages, sizes, and most of all for the family. We have programs for handicapped riding. Actually this is the only horse recommended by chiropractors because of the absence of the continuous impact along your dorsal spine when you ride.
7. Are Paso Finos always expensive? No, there are many choices in the market today, within a wide range of prices for performance, pleasure and classic fino. WE CAN HELP YOU FIND THE PERFECT HORSE.
8. Are they expensive to keep? No, as a matter of fact, it has been proven that the Paso Fino is the least expensive to feed because of it’s height, weight, and efficient metabolism all contribute to make its nutritional requirements lower than other breeds. Being a hardy horse, its medical requirements are also less.
9. How about training? Is it complicated and costly? No, the Paso Fino is a naturally gaited horse. This means you do not have to teach your horse to dot he gait. Foals gait right after birth. A trainer’s job is to enhance the gait to the horse’s best ability.
The best way to judge a Paso Fino is to ride one. This is what sells our horses. Come ride the Smoothest riding horse in the world.
