What is a Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino?
The name "Paso Fino" was coined in Puerto Rico, the
country of origin of the Fine Step (Paso Fino). Thus the
Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino is name for it's unique and
comfortable gait that is a natural result of it's genetic
heritage.
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What is so special about the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino's
gait?
Everything!!! The Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino is treasured for
it's soft, delicate, 4-beat natural isochronal gait. The breed
IS the gait.
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What are the gaits of the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino?
The Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino performs the fino gait at any speed.
The 4-beat isochronal gait ensures the ultimate smoothness for the rider at any
speed. The range of gait will vary with every horse, given
their confirmation and innate ability. Some horses have more range than others.
Some horses are naturally more collected and they can execute
their gait with very minimal forward movement.
These are our prized show horses! Other horses may have a more natural
tendency to have a more extended step. These horses can keep up with the
best! Some horses can maintain gait at up to 35 mph.!! Some horses can just
do it all! Click here to read more about this special gait
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What does isochronal mean?
Isochronal means equal time. Each of the PR Paso Fino's feet
is set down at equal time intervals. Thus, it is neither
lateral (pace) nor diagonal (trot). Isochronal yeilds the
smoothest gait due to the equal time spent on the lateral as
well as the diagonal. There are other 4-beat gaits (trocha,
fox trot, and etc.) but the roughness transmitted to the rider
as the gait moves away from the ideal paso fino gait. In
addition the PR Paso Fino always has 2 or 3 feet on the ground
when in motion. This not only cushions the ride, but it also
makes it simple for the PR Paso Fino to remain in it's
isochronal even around tight turns and over the full range of
speeds. The gait is natural. It cannot be taught. It is the
result of the unique conformation of the Pure Puerto Rican
Paso Fino.
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How long can they maintain their gait?
Indefinitely! The isochronal gait is natural and easy for the
Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino Horse. It can maintain a corto for
hours at a time, making them an ideal endurance horse.
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Aren't Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino's just show horses?
No! Don't let their relatively small size (13.2-15.2 HH) fool
you. These horse are the descendents of the horses that were
brought to the America's by the Conquistadors back in the
1500's. From those extraordinary hardy horses the Pure Puerto
Rican Paso Fino strength, stamina, fine legs with good bone,
and a willing and sensible temperament. A great horse as well
as a comfortable ride!
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How do you train a Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino to gait?
You don't! The Paso Fino's gait is natural. Foals are often
seen performing a soft corto next to their mothers.
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Where can I get one?
The Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino's are relatively rare. However
you can find a few breeders across the US and PR. Just remember
that you want the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino Horse! Check out
our list of farms!
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Notable Quote:
"Paso fino" horses rest their hooves on the
ground with gentleness and usually don't raise their hooves
too high. As a consequence this gait, executed only by our
horses is called the "Paso Fino" gait, because of
their easy, gentle, proud, and rhythmical gait capable of
carrying a rider with a glass full of water without spilling
it." Dr. Carlos Gaztambide Arrillaga in "Breeding
Better Paso Fino Horses"
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On a more somber note,
we are warning everyone about the possible extinction of this
beautiful breed of horses. The cause of extinction is from the
cross-breeding of the Paso Fino Horses. We need to protect the
precious genetic heritage of these fine horses as it may not
be possible to re-create them should the breed become extinct.
The North Atlantic Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino Organization
was founded to promote the breed and increase the public
awareness in order to protect this valuable breed. If you
would like to receive information concerning this breed feel
free to email us.
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