THE PERUVIAN PASO

The Peruvian Paso is a truly unique breed of horse – a non trotting breed that can guarantee it’s natural gait to each and every purebred offspring.

A foal produced by the mating of a pure blooded Peruvian mare and a pure blooded Peruvian stallion will always inherit the lateral four beat gait from which the breed gets it’s name.

Whenever a horseman sees a Peruvian Paso for the first time, he is momentarily startled. The front legs arch high, to the side, and far forward, similar to the arm motion of a swimmer. This natural, spectacularly beautiful action of the fore legs is known as "termino". The hind legs move low and easily, with great economy of motion.

The modern day Peruvian horse is considered by its aficionados to be the smoothest riding horse on earth. The Peruvian’s natural gait eliminates virtually all vertical motion for the rider and allows the horse to glide forward without undulation of the back between the croup and the withers. The best of these horses are smooth in the saddle area even at speeds up to 32kph. The gait of the Peruvian horse can be as slow as a walk or as fast as an extended trot or slow canter. Both the gait and flashy leg action are inherited, and do not have to be taught.

The ancestors of the present day Peruvian horse which came from Spain with the Spanish Conquistadors, were Andalusian, Friesan, Barb, and Spanish Jennet blood.

In Peru, the naturally gaited Spanish horses were carefully bred to produce the purest link that the modern world has with the once populous, naturally gaited horses. For several centuries no outside blood had been introduced into the Peruvian Paso breed, and now every purebred Peruvian horse has the inherited four beat lateral gait which is the trade mark of the Peruvian breed.

The Peruvians did not breed exclusively for gait. Disposition was equally important. In fact, the disposition of the Peruvian horse is probably his most appealing virtue, although his smooth gait is probably more renowned. As a result of strict culling, the Peruvian horse is intelligent, tractable and eager to please. However, he has retained the presence and arrogance of his hot blooded ancestors, and the modern day Peruvian horse still travels, "like a conqueror".

The Peruvian Paso comes in all the basic colours: black, brown, bay, chestnut, grey, palomino, buckskin and roan. They boast a long, luxurious mane and tail. Size ranges from 14 to 15.3h with the average being about 14.3.

For knowledgable horsemen, the Peruvian Paso is an enigmatic blend of extremes. He has the spirit and fire of the old Spanish breeds and yet is noted for tractability.

The breed also combines what his breeders consider to be the world’s smoothest gait with the most spectacularly stylish natural action known to any equine. He is an animal of refined beauty with the strength to cover many miles a day – year after year. Also, since most of the Peruvian Breeders were very extensive landholders, many of these horses were used for stock work. Consequently, another of their attributes is a good deal of "cow sense", similar to the Quarter Horse and the Australian Stock Horse. These are qualities genetically locked in by centuries of selection. A major principle with Peruvian breeders is that great Peruvian horses are born – not trained.

The Peruvian Paso has gained tremendous recognition and popularity since it’s introduction into the United States approximately 30 years ago, and breeders in this country have already exported horses to Europe, Latin America, Australia, The Orient, and Canada.

At the present time there are approximately 10,000 to 12,000 Peruvian horses in the United States and no more than 25,000 in the entire world. They are primarily used for show, pleasure, trail and parade riding, and occasionally for stock work.

The situation remains much the same in Australia. As there are less than twenty breeding mares here in total, the supply has not been able to keep up with the demand.

Having said that, it is anticipated that by 1998 several of the major Peruvian Paso studs will have increased their offerings substantially. It is highly recommended that inquiries be made within the next three months in regard to purchasing one of these truly special members of the equine family.

For more information look for our Home Page,

"Pasadena Peruvian Pasos" on the World Wide Web

send us a message at e-mail address antioch@hunterlink.net.au

or phone 065 - 745153.

Happy riding!!

This page last updated on the 16^thJune, 1997