Paso Peruano horses are a unique breed known for their smooth gait and striking appearance. These elegant animals hail from Peru and have a rich history dating back centuries.
Their name translates to “Peruvian Step” in English, reflecting their distinctive four-beat lateral ambling gait.
Paso Peruanos are prized for their natural ability to perform a comfortable, ground-covering stride called the paso llano. This gait allows riders to cover long distances with minimal fatigue, making these horses ideal for both leisure and endurance riding.
The breed’s smooth movement stems from its unique body structure and genetic predisposition.
Paso Peruanos are medium-sized horses with a strong build, arched neck, and flowing mane and tail. They often display a range of coat colours, including bay, black, chestnut, and grey.
Their temperament is generally calm and willing, making them suitable for riders of various skill levels.
History and Origins
The Paso Peruano, or Peruvian Paso, has a rich history dating back to the Spanish conquest of Peru. This unique breed developed over centuries, blending traits from various Spanish horses to create a smooth-gaited mount suited for long journeys.
Influence of Spanish Breeds
Spanish colonists brought Andalusian, Barb, and Spanish Jennet horses to Peru in the 16th century. These breeds mixed with local horses, creating the foundation for the Peruvian Paso.
Breeders selected for a smooth, four-beat lateral gait called the paso llano. This gait made long rides more comfortable on rugged terrain.
The Viceroyalty of New Castilla, which included Peru, became a centre for horse breeding. Wealthy landowners prized horses with natural gaits and elegant movement.
Over time, the Peruvian Paso emerged as a distinct breed known for its smooth ride and striking appearance.
The Peruvian Paso in North America
Peruvian Pasos arrived in North America in the 1960s. The breed quickly gained fans for its comfortable gait and flashy movement.
Breeders worked to preserve the Paso’s unique traits while expanding its presence outside Peru.
In 1991, Peru named the Peruvian Paso part of its national heritage. This move helped protect the breed and its cultural importance.
Today, Peruvian Pasos can be found across North America, Europe, and Australia, though Peru remains the country of origin.
Characteristics and Breeding
The Paso Peruano, also known as the Peruvian Paso, is a unique horse breed prized for its smooth gait and striking appearance. These horses possess distinctive traits and require specialised breeding practices.
Unique Gaits and Movement
Paso Peruanos are famous for their natural four-beat lateral ambling gait called the Paso Llano. This smooth gait allows riders to sit comfortably without bouncing.
The horses move with a lateral sequence of footfalls, creating a smooth and efficient motion.
Paso Peruanos also display ‘termino’, a graceful outward swinging motion of the front legs. This eye-catching movement adds to their elegant appearance under saddle.
These horses show excellent balance, stamina, and endurance. Their natural gait makes them ideal for long rides over varied terrain.
Physical Attributes and Colour Variations
Paso Peruanos typically stand between 14.1 and 15.2 hands high. They have a refined head, arched neck, and well-muscled body. Their luxurious mane and tail are often long and flowing.
The breed comes in a range of colours:
- Chestnut
- Bay
- Black
- Brown
- Palomino
- Buckskin
- Grey
- Roan
- Dun
Many Paso Peruanos display white markings on their faces and legs.
These horses are known for their ‘brio’, a willing and energetic temperament combined with a gentle disposition.
Breeding Practices and Genetic Health
Breeders focus on maintaining the Paso Peruano’s natural gait and temperament. Careful selection of breeding stock helps preserve these traits.
The Peruvian Paso Horse Registry oversees breed standards and registration. Breeders must adhere to strict guidelines to ensure the purity of the breed.
Health is a key concern in breeding programmes. Paso Peruanos can be prone to degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis (DSLD), a condition affecting the legs.
Responsible breeders work to reduce the incidence of this and other genetic health issues.
Regular grooming is essential to maintain the breed’s signature long mane and tail. Proper care helps keep these horses looking their best and performing well.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Peruvian Paso horse has unique traits and a rich history. Let’s explore some common questions about this special breed.
What is the origin of the Peruvian Paso horse?
The Peruvian Paso horse originated in Peru during the 16th century. Spanish conquistadors brought horses to South America, and these animals were bred selectively over time.
The goal was to create a smooth-gaited horse suited for long journeys across rough terrain. This breeding led to the development of the Peruvian Paso breed.
What are the distinct characteristics of the Paso llano gait?
The Paso llano is a four-beat lateral gait unique to Peruvian Paso horses. It’s incredibly smooth and comfortable for riders.
In this gait, the horse moves its legs in a lateral sequence. Each foot touches the ground separately, creating a smooth, rolling motion.
What are the common coat colours found in Peruvian Paso horses?
Peruvian Paso horses come in a variety of coat colours. The most common include bay, black, chestnut, and grey.
Some horses also display roan, palomino, or buckskin coats. White markings on the face and legs are quite common in the breed.
How tall does the Peruvian Paso horse typically stand?
Peruvian Paso horses are medium-sized. On average, they stand between 14.1 and 15.2 hands high at the withers.
This height range is about 143 to 157 centimetres. Mares tend to be slightly smaller than stallions and geldings.
What sets the Paso Fino horse apart from the Peruvian Paso?
While both breeds are known for smooth gaits, they have distinct differences. Paso Finos originated in Puerto Rico and Colombia, not Peru.
Paso Finos are typically smaller and have a different gait called the paso fino. Peruvian Pasos are larger and known for their paso llano gait.
How does the Peruvian Paso breed provide a smooth ride?
The smooth ride of a Peruvian Paso comes from its unique gait and conformation.
The paso llano gait minimises vertical movement, reducing bouncing for the rider.
The breed’s body structure, including a sloping croup and strong back, also contributes to the smooth ride. This makes long journeys more comfortable for both horse and rider.
