Paso Fino
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Names: Paso Fino. It means "fine step" in Spanish and is also the name of the slowest gait. Known locally as "chongos." I am not sure where "locally" is, but technically they originated in Puerto Rico.
Origin: American
breed descended from horses of Spanish explorers. (American does not
necessarily mean United States; actually, these horses are more South American
in type, even though Puerto Rico is a dependency of the U.S.) There are several
versions in various countries; however, the "Paso Fino proper" is
usually associated with Puerto Rico.
A Latin-American riding horse, dating from the sixteenth and
seventeenth centuries, native to Puerto Rico, Cuba, Peru, and Colombia.
Its gait is one which may be described as a broken pace.
Breeding: A process of natural selective breeding. I will look into this!
Description:
Color: Any color, although solid colors are preferred.
Croup: Sloping.
Neck: Short.
Size: 13-15.2 hands. Usually about 14 hands.
Temperament: Quiet and gentle by nature.
Features: Tough and hardy. These horses all perform what the islanders call "a four beat single foot"--a singularly comfortable and untiring gait to which the rider can just "sit down" and enjoy the ride. Has five extra gaits. Doesn't trot. I do not know how many gaits they actually have or if they actually do not trot; I will look into this as soon as possible.
Uses: Capable of the most arduous work across the mountains or in the sugar cane plantations. It is for trail and long distance riding that the Paso Fino really comes into his own. It is used as a pleasure horse, a parade horse, and for endurance rides.
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