Paso Fino Horse Breed Profile

Origins: Columbus  transported the first horses to Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) in his second voyage to the New World. These horses were a mix of the Berber, the Jennet and the Andalusian. These were the ancestors to the Paso Fino. Like pieces in a well-planned puzzle, the best of the contributing breeds became prominent in these isolated horses. Among other traits, their young enjoyed the hardiness of the Barb and the natural presence of the Andalusian. But most important and treasured was the incredibly even and smooth gait of the Jennet. Remarkably, that gait became the genetic stamp that ever after, despite physical changes brought about by directed breeding or locale, identified this horse as the one we know today by the name Paso Fino.

Characteristics: As it moves, the horse's feet fall in a natural lateral pattern instead of the more common diagonal pattern. Rather than trotting, the Paso Finn's medium speed is a corto, during which the rider is reassuringly seated. The basic gaits of the Paso Fino in order of speed are the paso fino, paso corto, and paso largo. They also walk and canter. These are not trained movements, but are natural to the horse from the moment of its birth.

Height: 13.2 - 15.2 hands

Color: Variety of markings from chestnut, bay, palomino, black, gray and roan to pinto

Personality: Spirited yet gentle, intelligent and tractable