When the Paso Fino Breed was introduced in the USA, the Peruvian Paso Horse used to be considered a Paso Fino. The Register was done under the same rules of the original American association, named PFHOBA – Paso Fino Horse Owners and Breeders Association, including all the “Paso Horses” imported from Central and South American countries, mainly Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Colombia and Peru.
In spite of the origin being the same as that of the Paso Fino horse – the Barb, Spanish Jennet and Andalusian horses introduced in Central and South America by the Spanish colonizers - the Peruvian Paso was raised in natural conditions, only found in Peru. Goals in the selection process were different as well, resulting in a breed presenting differente conformation and style of the four beat gait when compared to the Paso Fino horses. The head shape is not so triangular like the head of the Colombian Paso Fino. Usually, the body is deeper and stronger. Weight varies from 800 to 1,000 pounds, close to the weight of Arabian horses. The four beat is only lateral broken. Since this characteristic is genetically recessive, some horses may present excessive lateral movement, a characteristic not commonly present in the modern Paso Fino horse, since this breed’s genetic make up has received a contribution from the “Trocha”, a diagonal broken four beat typical of the Colombian Trochadores.
Regarding style, The Peruvian Paso Horse shows a singular movement of the front legs, swinging to the outside with great elevation, being called “termino”. It is an elegant leg action, making these horses a national symbol in Peru, always shown in parades.
