The Paso Fino, developed in Puerto Rico and Colombia, and later, Cuba and other Caribbean countries, is a gaited breed popular with many riders looking for an attractive, smooth ride, on a horse with a tractable temperament. Although they  were predominantly developed in Puerto Rico and Colombia varying strains developed in different countries, although their qualities were very similar and all are recognized as Paso Finos.


In North America, these strains are often interbred, but in the Caribbean countries, there are efforts to maintain each type. The North American Paso Fino can be slightly larger, too.

Body Type:

Generally, these are compact and sturdy horses, but regardless of size, all give the impression of power or ‘brio’ --vigor and mettle. Their heads are reminiscent of Andalusians, with a convex or straight profile. Concave, Arabian-type heads are less desirable. Their tail set is high, and the haunches and shoulders are powerful. The neck is low set and arched, not willowy like an Arabian or Thoroughbred.

Average Size:

Paso Fino Horses are usually 13.2 hands high to 15.2 hands high, with the average being just over pony sized at 14 to 14.2 hh. Some individuals may reach 16hh. They range from 700 to 1100 lbs. Because of the stature of the people living in the countries where the breed developed, taller horses were unnecessary.

Uses:

Paso Finos, with their comfortable gaits, were bred to carry their riders smoothly over the varied terrain of their island homes.

Today, they are used as pleasure riding and driving horses and show horses in many different disciplines western and English. They are often shown in traditional tack. In some competitions, horses are ridden over a sounding board, a long wooden ramp that emphasis the sound of the foot fall of the horse as it gaits.

Color and Markings:

Every color is allowed, and seen in the Paso Fino breed, from pintos to solid colors such as buckskin, grey, palomino,  grulla and roan. All types of white markings are permissible by the breed standard.

History and Origins:

The Paso Fino’s history goes back to the first horses to arrive in the Americas with Christopher Columbus and the Spanish conquistadors. Their bloodlines include horses of the Barb or Berber, Andalusian and Spanish Jennet breeds. The Jennet, a now extinct gaited breed, is thought to be the major influence, and the Jennet’s unique gaits persist in today’s Paso Finos.

Unique Characteristics:

Paso Fino means ‘fine step’ in Spanish and refers to the breed's unique way of travelling, or gaits. The Paso Fino does not trot, but has running walk or ambling type gaits. All gaits are four beat, and are performed at various speeds and lengths of strides. These four beat gaits are comfortable to ride, and have very little vertical impulsion, so the rider is jostled very little in the saddle.

The Paso Corto is a relaxed, natural four-beat gait used for pleasure riding.  A Paso Largo is an accelerated running walk equivalent to a slow canter speed. These gaits are natural to the breed and need not be trained. A paso fino or classic fino is a showy gait, performed very collected, with quick and sharp action, but modest forward motion. The Paso Finos can also canter and gallop.  Some strains perform similar gaits, but not all are recognized as true gaits and some are discouraged in purebred Paso Finos. Three beat trot are not desirable in a Paso Fino.

Paso Fino Champions and Celebrities:

 

Hillaches is a prominent foundation sire of the Paso Fino, especially in North America.

• Watch a Paso Fino cross a soundboard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRmVNHzJ36E
• Learn more about Paso Finos