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Gaited Horse Book and Gift Catalog
Whispering Pine Press, Inc.
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Gaited Horse Book and Gift Catalog
C/O Whispering Pine Press, Inc.
P.O. Box 1469 Spokane Valley, WA 99037-1469 USA
Phone: (509) 927-0404 Publisher’s website – flash: www.whisperingpinepress.com Publisher’s website - html: www.bookcatalog.info Publisher’s e-mail: info@whisperingpinepress.com Publisher’s e-mail: info@bookcatalog.info
Gaited Horse E-mail:
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Paso Fino Breed Information
So thousands of years later when Cloumbus discovered the New World he found a land without horses!
Later explorers brought more horses and these, together with the original stock, were blended to produce a horse that was uniquely suited to the demands of the new land. These hardy horses could travel vast distances without tiring, and were easy keepers that maintained their stamina on the available vegetation. But most importantly, these horses possesed and transmitted to their offspring a natural four beat gait that provided an extremely comfortable ride (a desirable trait to the explorers who spent numerous hours in the saddle!) Used as the foundation stock for remount stations of the Conquistadors, these horses came to be known as Los Caballos de Paso Fino, "the horse with the fine walk." Characteristics of the breed... The American Paso Fino Horse reflects its Spanish heritage through its proud carriage, grace and elegance. In addition to being born with the natural ability to perform the Paso Fino gait, selective breeding has produced other basic qualities in today's Paso Fino horses. The Paso Fino horse is "People oriented," enjoying his human companions and striving to please. He is willing and spirited, but very gentle at hand and easily managed. His hooves are extremely durable and he is seldom shod unless traveling on rocky surfaces. His large lung capacity gives him endurance, and he is naturally quick, surefooted and athletic. Size varies, with the average being slightly over 14 hands. Every equine color can be found with or without white markings. Paso Fino horses have the ability to execute all natural equine gaits and can be taught to perform them on cue. But, because the Paso Fino gait is so comfortable and unique, most riders require the Paso Fino to move only in its own special gait under saddle. The American Paso Fino is born with a gait unique to the breed. As a natural gait, it does not exhibit the catapulting or exaggerated leg action of man-made gaits; rather the movements are smooth, rhythmic, purposeful, straight, balanced in flexion and synchronous front to rear, resulting in unequalled comfort and smoothness for the rider. The American Paso Fino is a graceful, agile and supple equine athlete that uses all four legs with precision and harmony.
Executed perfectly the four hoof beats are absolutely even in both cadence and impact. Footfall is in the same sequence as a natural equine walk walk, i.e. left rear, left fore, right rear, right fore. Propulsion is primarily fom the hind limbs and the horse's motion is absorbed in its back and loins. The Paso Fino gait is performed at three forward speeds and with varying degrees of collection. 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 horse's croup. Classic Fino... Executed fully collected, the forward speed is very slow, and the footfall is extremely rapid while the steps and extension are exceedingly short. Paso Corto... Forward spped is moderate, ground covering but unhurried, executed with medium extension and stride. Collection varies with class requirements. Paso Largo... The fastest speed of the gait. The largo is executed with a longer extension and stride and varying degrees of collection. Forward speed varies with the individual horse, since each horse should attain its top speed in harmony with its own natural stride and cadence. The American Paso Fino... In the United States emphasis has been placed on naturalness and any evidence of abusive training methods results in disqualification in the show ring. Whether executing the highly collected Classic Fino or the fully extended Largo, the Paso Fino's performance is a pleasure for both rider and observer. We invite you to experience the pleasure yourself...for when it comes to elegance, comfort and performance, the Paso Fino horse is the natural choice. Information from the Paso Fino Association in Bowling Green, Florida. |
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P.O. Box 1469 Spokane Valley, WA 99037-1469 USA Phone: (509) 927-0404 | Fax: (509) 927-1550 Publisher’s website – flash: www.whisperingpinepress.com Publisher’s website - html: www.bookcatalog.info Publisher’s e-mail: info@whisperingpinepress.com Publisher’s e-mail: info@bookcatalog.info
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