The Peruvian Paso Horse - A Smooth Ride for Everyone
by Julie Dees
Aside from their flashy good looks, the gait of the Peruvian Paso horses is what makes this breed so popular. They are known worldwide for their smooth, rocking horse style ride. The easy gait and manageable size makes riding accessible for those with disabilities. Riders with age-related or back problems often choose the Peruvian Paso over most breeds.
Oklahoma State University's Ag Department considers this the smoothest riding horse in the world. The Peruvian Paso has a gorgeous natural stride know as "termino". Termino is the rolling movement of the horse's front legs to the outside as they progress forward. It reminds one of a swimmer's arms in motion. This contributes to the smooth ride without the jarring up and down pounding of some other breeds.
The …show more content…
They stem from the same original breeds minus the Friesian, but are in no means the same breed. Their evolution and intended purposes are quite different along with their gait and looks.
Peruvian horsemen recognized early on that they had something special in their riding horses. They focused on the Peruvian Paso and their gait while others turned to the trotting breeds. The Peruvians stuck to strict breeding programs to ensure the desired traits remained true. Careful stewarding of the breed has ensured that they are as fine an animal now as they were centuries ago.
Peruvian Paso horses come in a multitude of solid colors. Their Barb blood influences some of their colorings. This includes roans and greys as well as any shadings between. They are not a large horse with heights averaging between 14 and 15 hands. Weights for these animals hover around 1000 pounds. The general build or size of the breed is reminiscent of the Morgan or Arabian horses.
sources: Oklahoma State University Department of Animal Science
by Julie Dees
Aside from their flashy good looks, the gait of the Peruvian Paso horses is what makes this breed so popular. They are known worldwide for their smooth, rocking horse style ride. The easy gait and manageable size makes riding accessible for those with disabilities. Riders with age-related or back problems often choose the Peruvian Paso over most breeds.
Oklahoma State University's Ag Department considers this the smoothest riding horse in the world. The Peruvian Paso has a gorgeous natural stride know as "termino". Termino is the rolling movement of the horse's front legs to the outside as they progress forward. It reminds one of a swimmer's arms in motion. This contributes to the smooth ride without the jarring up and down pounding of some other breeds.
The …show more content…
They stem from the same original breeds minus the Friesian, but are in no means the same breed. Their evolution and intended purposes are quite different along with their gait and looks.
Peruvian horsemen recognized early on that they had something special in their riding horses. They focused on the Peruvian Paso and their gait while others turned to the trotting breeds. The Peruvians stuck to strict breeding programs to ensure the desired traits remained true. Careful stewarding of the breed has ensured that they are as fine an animal now as they were centuries ago.
Peruvian Paso horses come in a multitude of solid colors. Their Barb blood influences some of their colorings. This includes roans and greys as well as any shadings between. They are not a large horse with heights averaging between 14 and 15 hands. Weights for these animals hover around 1000 pounds. The general build or size of the breed is reminiscent of the Morgan or Arabian horses.
sources: Oklahoma State University Department of Animal Science