The Peruvian Paso

Article and photo by Maryella Vause

Fresh from the land of the Incas, After 400 years of careful breeding, this living treasure of Peru is being discovered by the rest of the world. The first Peruvian Paso horses came to the "New World" at Santo Domingo with Christopher Columbus in 1493. The Spanish explorers, conquerors and colonists in the early 1500s needed strong, spirited, comfortable, smooth, enduring horses for their explorations.

For his conquest of Peru in 1532, Francisco Pizarro took 25 stallions and 25 mares from the Royal stables in Jamaica and set out for the northern coasts of Peru. With reinforcements and only 62 horses, Pizarro marched into the heart of the lncan empire.

After the fall of the Incas, many Spanish settlers came to Peru in search of fame and fortune. They brought their horses, and the Spanish Conquistadors and colonists started an active breeding program. In a few years, it was no longer necessary to import horses from Spain.

When saddle horses were used for transportation, people who rode long distances preferred a "walker," or smooth-gaited horse. "Paso" means "walk" in Spanish. Trotting became the gait of choice when travellers began to use carriages, coaches, and wagons.

The classic Andalusian horse was the foundation for the Peruvian Paso horse. The Peruvian has kept many of the fine qualities of its Andalusian forebearers. To produce and preserve the natural four-beat, lateral gait, a cross was made with the Spanish Barb from North Africa, and the Spanish Jennet. These horses were the highest quality, cherished by the nobility and tracing their pedigrees from the King's stables for generations. From this early stock, the Peruvian Paso has been bred in isolation (all alone in Peru ) without the introduction of other breeds, producing a horse suited to overseeing plantations and travelling between settlements. The Peruvian breeders gave the world a horse noted for natural, locked-in gait, endurance, smooth ride, a spirited yet gentle disposition, as well as physical grace and beauty.

These elegant horses are bred for what the Spanish call "termino" and "brio." Termino is a swimming-like motion in which the foreleg moves out to the side and then down, like a swimmer doing the crawl. It's showy and fun to watch. With their full collection, arched necks and fancy termino, these horses look like they are always "on parade."

Brio is best translated as "spirit," enthusiasm, energy, or liveliness. In Peru, a horse with brio is said to be "happy". Yet, brio is more than that. It includes a great heart and the desire to please the owner.

Every foal born of pure-bred parents can perform the four-beat lateral gait from birth. As you ride this horse, you hear a distinctive rhythm - paca-pacapaca-paca - and feel a gentle side-toside rocking motion with no bounce and no bone-jarring trot. This gait can be done over a wide range of speeds, from slow "Paso Llano" to the faster "Sobreandando." Peruvian Paso's are capable of all other natural gaits; the walk, the trot, and the canter, making them naturally five-gaited.

Don't confuse the Peruvian Paso with the Paso Fino. Although they share a common, Old World ancestor and the Spanish word "Paso," these breeds are separate and distinct with very different styles and motions. The Paso Fino takes much shorter steps and travels with a staccato rhythm. The Peruvian Paso covers ground far more rapidly and use a flowing, smooth rhythm.

The Peruvian Paso is a medium sized horse, usually between 14.1 and 15.2 hands, with a muscular build. The classical conformation is half body/half leg. Other conformation standards include a deep barrel, broad chest, and a high head carriage. The neck is set high with a gracefully arched crest. The tail is set low and carried tightly. Kind, expressive dark, wide-set eyes are a breed standard. Long mane, tail and forelock add to their beauty and elegance.

You may find your favourite from a wide range of colours: chestnut (or sorrel), black, brown, bay, buckskin, palomino, gray, roan or dun, with the grey and dark solid colours considered most desirable. The gentleness and spirit of these horses make them safe and a pleasure to ride for the youngest beginner or the most advanced dressage professional.

In the United States and Canada, Peruvian Pasos have competed in trail and endurance events as tough as the famous Tevis Cup. Yet they are so gentle and responsive that they are also used in therapy programs for physically and mentally challenged children and adults.

To learn more about these wonderful horses, check out these web sites: Peruvian Horse Association of Canada at: www.peruvian-pasos.com/phac.html

The Peruvian Paso Horse Registry of North America at www.pphma.org

Pasos on the Web at www.peruvian-pasos.com will give you a hot link to a ranch or show near you.

Horsepower October/November 1999