The Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino Horse
The Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino is treasured for its soft, delicate, natural, 4-beat isochronal gait. "Paso Fino" translated means "FINE STEP". "Isochronal" means the horse moves in a 4 beat tempo with lateral movement in which the time between consecutive steps is the same. This gait is a natural result of its Puerto Rican genetic heritage. The Puerto Rican people prized the presence of gait and smoothness as their primary consideration for choosing breeding stock, hence the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino horses are consistent in passing on this gait. When foals are born, they consistently exhibit this natural gait.
Executed perfectly, the continuous rhythm is even in both cadence and impact. Footfall is in the same sequence as the natural equine walk; left rear, left fore, right rear, right fore. Propulsion is from the hindquarters and the horse's movement is absorbed in its back and loins, resulting in unequaled smoothness and comfort to the rider. The Paso gait is performed at three forward speeds with varying degrees of collection (fino, corto, and largo). In all speeds of the gait, the rider should appear virtually motionless in the saddle and there should be no perceptible up and down motion of the horses' croup. There are even competitions where the rider holds a glass of liquid and will not spill a drop while in gait! Despite being strong and powerful movers, the Puerto Rican Paso Fino's hooves softly kiss the ground as they step. The term "Paso Fino" or FINE STEP is more a description of the delicate nature in which the hooves strike the earth rather than a level of collection and/or speed. The clarity, precision, and execution of the gait should be the criteria for which horses are judged. If these criteria are met, then all else being equal, the horse with the fastest footfall would win. This delicate, precise, "FINE STEP" is BORN, not made or taught to be.
Aside from giving you one of the smoothest rides you will ever experience, the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino also possess great strength, intelligence, courage and loyalty. We like to say they have the "Eye of the Tiger". They display "BRIO" which is popularly defined as having a vigorous spirit with a gentle heart. They are beautiful and proud, people horses. Their feet are rock hard, and unless ridden consistently on very rugged terrain, they rarely need to be shod. Extremely versatile, they are wonderful parade and show horses, as well as excelling in competitive trail rides, barrel racing and gymkhanas. They range from 13 to 15 hands and come in a variety of colors. They are excellent family horses.
They are a distinct, pure breed, separate from the Columbian, American, and Peruvian Paso horses. The term "Paso Fino" originated in Puerto Rico in reference to the indigenous pure blood of the Puerto Rican Paso Fino Horse. The precious pure blood of the Puerto Rican Paso Fino has been diluted by cross breeding with other paso horses. This practice has caused the number of pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino horses to diminish.
There are currently less than 500 Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino's registered with the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino Federation of America and an estimate of only 2,000 worldwide, making the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino a rare and valuable animal. All of us, at FRAZIER BROOK FARM, are committed to preserving the precious, old blood of this irreplaceable breed.
".....when the last individual of a race of living things breathes no more, another heaven and another earth must pass again before such a one can be again." - William Beebe
FRAZIER BROOK FARM
PURE PUERTO RICAN PASO FINO HORSES
Pure Puerto Ricans at Frosty Acres, Export PA
