Peruvian Paso

Peruvian Horse
	A Peruvian Horse
Other names	Peruvian
Country of origin	Peru
Traits
Distinguishing features	Gaited, Spanish conformation
Breed standards
	North American Peruvian Horse Association ;
	Equus ferus caballus ;

Last updated November 10, 2023

The Peruvian Horse is a breed of light saddle horse known for its smooth ride. It is distinguished by a natural, four-beat, lateral gait called the paso llano. This breed is protected by the Peruvian government through Decree number 25919 of Peru enacted on November 28, 1992, and has been declared a Cultural Heritage of the Nation by the National Institute of Culture (INC).^[1] Due to the isolation suffered for about 400 years and the selection made by their breeders, this breed is very particular in their body proportions and an ambling gait or "paso llano" that is characteristic. It is typical of the northern Peruvian regions of the country from which it originated. Trujillo city is considered the cradle of typical Peruvian Horses.^[2]

History

Smooth-gaited horses, generally known as Palfreys, existed in the Middle Ages, and the Jennet in particular was noted for its ambling gaits.^[3] Peruvians trace their ancestry to these ambling Jennets; as well as to the Barb, which contributed strength and stamina; and to the Andalusian which added style, conformation and action.^[4]^[5]

Horses arrived in South America during the Spanish Conquest, beginning with the arrival of Pizarro in 1531. Foundation bloodstock came from Spain, Jamaica, Panama and other areas of Central America.^[6] Importations increased after 1542, when the Spanish created the Viceroyalty of New Castilla. This later became the Viceroyalty of Peru, an important center of Spain's New World viceroyalties in the eighteenth century.

Once in Peru, they were used primarily for transportation and breeding stock. In the north of Peru, the vast size of sugar and cotton plantations meant that overseers needed to travel long distances, often taking days to cross the plantation. In the south of Peru, the arid deserts that separated settlements required sturdy, strong horses. In both cases, smooth-gaited horses with good endurance were required. On the other hand, Peru did not develop a livestock-based economy, and thus did not need to breed for the speed or agility characteristic of stock horses.

Over time, Peruvian breeders kept the bloodlines clean and selectively bred primarily for gait, conformation, and temperament. They wanted strong, hardy animals that were comfortable to ride and easy to control. Over four centuries, their dedication to breeding only the best gaited bloodstock resulted in the modern Peruvian Horse.

A decline in the use of Peruvians was seen in the southern part of Peru in the early 1900s, following the building of major highways that allowed motor travel to replace the use of the horse. Many of the major breeders in the area gave their best horses away to peasants living in the nearby quebradas (valleys). It was in one of these quebradas that breeder Gustavo de la Borda found the horse that was to become the most important modern sire in the breed, Sol de Oro (Viejo).^[7]

The Peruvian Horse continued to flourish in the northern regions because it was still needed for transportation on the haciendas. This changed with the harsh Agrarian Reforms instituted by the government of Juan Velasco Alvarado in the late 1960s that had a devastating effect on the Peruvian Horse within Peru. Major breeding operations were broken up and breeding stock was lost. Because interest in the Peruvian Horse was growing in the United States and Central America at the same time, many of the finest Peruvians were exported, leading to a period where it appeared the Peruvian Horse would fade in its homeland.

Don Pedro Venturo Zapata was a major breeder of the Peruvians in his "Hacienda Higuereta y Anexos - Negociacion Vinicola Pedro Venturo S.A." from 1925 to 1952.

The last quarter of the 20th century saw a resurgence in the Peruvian Horse's fortune in Peru. The annual National Show in Lima is a major event in Peruvian cultural life. The Peruvian has been declared a Patrimonio Cultural (Cultural Heritage) of Peru in an attempt to shore up the breed within the country. There are now laws in place that restrict the export of national champion horses.

Peruvian Horses are noted internationally for their good temperament and comfortable ride. As of 2003, there are approximately 25,000 horses worldwide, used for pleasure riding, trail, horse shows, parades, and endurance riding.

Characteristics

Appearance

The horse is medium-sized, usually standing between 14.1 to 15.2 hands (57 to 62 inches, 145 to 157 cm) tall, with an elegant yet powerful build.^[4] The Peruvian horse has a deep chest, heavy neck and body with substance without any trace of being hound gutted in the flank area. A low set, quiet tail, clamped tightly between the buttocks is a vital quality. Stallions have a broader chest and larger neck than mares,^{[ citation needed ]} and are known for their quality temperament. The coat color can be varied; and is seen in chestnut, black, bay, brown, buckskin, palomino, gray, roan or dun. Solid colors, grays and dark skin are considered the most desirable. The mane and forelock are lustrous, fine and abundant. White markings are acceptable on the legs and face.^[4]

Gait

Instead of a trot, the Peruvian performs an ambling four beat gait between the walk and the trot. There are two official gaits, called the "Paso Llano" or "even step", and the "sobreandando" which is a bit closer in timing to the pace. Both gaits can be performed at a variety of speeds. The fast sobreandando is often the speed of a canter. Both acceptable gaits are lateral, having four beats and is performed in a lateral sequence — left hind, left fore, right hind, right fore. The Peruvian Horse can also canter, will trot and pace at liberty, and do a natural relaxed walk.

The Peruvian performs two variations of the four-beat gait. The first, the paso llano, is isochronous, meaning that there are four equal beats in a 1-2-3-4 rhythm. This is the preferred gait. The second gait, the sobreandando, is often faster. Instead of four equal beats, the lateral beats are closer together in a 1–2, 3-4 rhythm, with the pause between the forefoot of one side to the rear of the other side is longer.^[4]

A Peruvian Horse in motion MANTEQUILLA and ROY MASON 236x272.jpg — A Peruvian Horse in motion

This characteristic gait was utilized for the purpose of covering long distances over a short period of time without tiring the horse or rider. The gait is natural and does not require extensive training. Purebred Peruvian foals can be seen gaiting alongside their dams within a few hours of their birth.

The gait supplies essentially none of the vertical bounce that is characteristic of the trot, and hence posting (moving up and down with each of the horse's footfalls) is unnecessary. It is also very stable, as the execution of the gait means there are always two, and sometimes three, feet on the ground.^[8] Because the rider feels no strain or jolt, gaited horses such as the Peruvian are often popular with riders who have back trouble.

Termino

A unique trait of the Peruvian gait is termino— an outward swinging leg action, originating from the shoulder, in which the front lower legs roll to the outside during the stride forward, similar to a swimmer's arms.^[4] Individual horses may have more or less termino. High lift or wide termino is not necessarily a sign of a well gaited horse; in fact it may be detrimental to a good gait.^{[ citation needed ]}

Brío

Brío refers to a horse's vigor, energy, exuberance, courage and liveliness; it automatically implies that these qualities are willingly placed in the service of the rider. Horses with true brio are willing workers. Their attention does not wander but is focused on the handler or rider, and thus they are quick to react and fast to learn. Horses with brio attract attention, and combined with the stamina of the breed have reserves they can tap to travel long distances for many hours.^[4]

Breeders and judges look for Brío, often translated as "spirit," but this does not capture the complexity of the term. Brío describes a somewhat contradictory temperament, which combines arrogance, spirit, and the sense of always being on parade, with a willingness to please the rider. Brío is an intangible quality of controlled energy that creates a metamorphosis in ordinary-looking horses and is an important trait of Peruvians.

Peruvian Horse shows

In the United States, competitions are organized by the North American Peruvian Horse Association and by their clubs. in Peru, the two best-known and most important events are The National Horse Competition Caballo de Paso Peruano held in Pachacamac and at the Internacional de la Primavera during the months of September and October in Trujillo city^[9] and during the international Marinera Festival in January.^[10] Peru's National Institute of Culture has declared that the horses are part of Peru's national cultural heritage.^[11]

Name

Because of the shared word Paso, a close relationship between the Peruvian and the Paso Fino breed is incorrectly assumed. "Paso" simply means "step," in Spanish, and does not imply a common breed or origin. Although the two breeds share ancestors in the Old World, and have some similarities, they were developed independently for different purposes.^[4] The two breeds are different and easily distinguishable. The Peruvian is somewhat larger, deeper in the body and wider. The Paso Fino is not bred for "termino" in its stride.

The Peruvian has been called the "national horse" of Peru. On the other hand, the Paso Fino was developed from horses throughout northern Latin America and the Caribbean, with major centers of development in Colombia and Puerto Rico. The Peruvian is also increasingly referred to in North America as the "Peruvian Horse" to distinguish its breed apart from other breeds.

Related Research Articles

The Standardbred is an American horse breed best known for its ability in harness racing, where members of the breed compete at either a trot or pace. Developed in North America, the Standardbred is recognized worldwide, and the breed can trace its bloodlines to 18th-century England. They are solid, well-built horses with good dispositions. In addition to harness racing, the Standardbred is used for a variety of equestrian activities, including horse shows and pleasure riding, particularly in the Midwestern and Eastern United States and in Southern Ontario.

The Paso Fino is a naturally gaited light horse breed dating back to horses imported to the Caribbean from Spain. Pasos are prized for their smooth, natural, four-beat, lateral ambling gait; they are used in many disciplines, but are especially popular for trail riding. In the United States two main groups of horses are popularly called "Paso Fino": One, also known as the Paso Fino Puro Puertorriqueño, originated in Puerto Rico. The other, often called the Colombian Paso Fino or Colombian Criollo Horse, developed in Colombia. Though from similar Spanish ancestors, the two groups developed independently of one another in their home nations.

Horses can use various gaits during locomotion across solid ground, either naturally or as a result of specialized training by humans.

The Icelandic horse is a breed of horse developed in Iceland. Although the horses are small, at times pony-sized, most registries for the Icelandic refer to it as a horse. Icelandic horses are long-lived and hardy. In their native country they have few diseases; Icelandic law prevents horses from being imported into the country and exported animals are not allowed to return. In addition to the gaits of walk, trot, and canter/gallop typical of other horse breeds, many Icelandic horses can also do the tölt and the flying pace. The only breed of horse in Iceland, they are also popular internationally, and sizable populations exist in Europe and North America. The breed is still used for traditional sheepherding work in its native country, as well as for leisure, showing, and racing.

The Mangalarga Marchador is a Brazilian breed of riding horse. It is the national horse breed of Brazil, where there are more than half a million of them; it is among the most numerous breeds of riding horse in the world. It derives from cross-breeding of Portuguese Alter Real horses with local Criollo stock. It displays four gaits: the walk, the canter, and two ambling gaits, the marcha batida and the marcha picada; it does not trot.

The American Saddlebred is a horse breed from the United States. This breed is referred to as the "Horse America Made". Descended from riding-type horses bred at the time of the American Revolution, the American Saddlebred includes the Narragansett Pacer, Canadian Pacer, Morgan and Thoroughbred among its ancestors. Developed into its modern type in Kentucky, it was once known as the "Kentucky Saddler" and used extensively as an officer's mount in the American Civil War. In 1891, a breed registry was formed in the United States. Throughout the 20th century, the breed's popularity continued to grow in the United States, and exports began to South Africa and Great Britain. Since the formation of the US registry, almost 250,000 American Saddlebreds have been registered and can now be found around the world, with separate breed registries established in Great Britain, Australia, continental Europe, and southern Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trot</span>

The trot is a two-beat diagonal horse gait where the diagonal pairs of legs move forward at the same time with a moment of suspension between each beat. It has a wide variation in possible speeds, but averages about 13 kilometres per hour (8.1 mph). A very slow trot is sometimes referred to as a jog. An extremely fast trot has no special name, but in harness racing, the trot of a Standardbred is faster than the gallop of the average non-racehorse, and has been clocked at over 30 miles per hour (48 km/h).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palfrey</span> Riding horse valued in the Middle Ages

A palfrey is a type of horse that was highly valued as a riding horse in the Middle Ages. It was a lighter-weight horse, usually a smooth gaited one that could amble, suitable for riding over long distances. Palfreys were not a specific breed as horse breeds are understood today.

The Narragansett Pacer was one of the first recorded horse breeds developed in the United States. It emerged in the 18th century (1700s), and was theorized to have been bred from a mix of English and Spanish breeds, although the exact cross is unknown. The Pacer was associated with, and bred in, the state of Rhode Island and the area of New England; as horse breeding shifted to Kentucky and Tennessee in the late 1700s, it became extinct by the 20th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ambling gait</span> Horse gait

An ambling gait or amble is any of several four-beat intermediate horse gaits, all of which are faster than a walk but usually slower than a canter and always slower than a gallop. Horses that amble are sometimes referred to as "gaited", particularly in the United States. Ambling gaits are smoother for a rider than either the two-beat trot or pace and most can be sustained for relatively long periods, making them particularly desirable for trail riding and other tasks where a rider must spend long periods in the saddle. Historically, horses able to amble were highly desired for riding long distances on poor roads. Once roads improved and carriage travel became popular, their use declined in Europe but continued in popularity in the Americas, particularly in areas where plantation agriculture was practiced and the inspection of fields and crops necessitated long daily rides.

Saddle seat is a style of horse riding within the category of English riding that is designed to show off the high action of certain horse breeds. The style developed into its modern form in the United States, and is also seen in Canada and South Africa. To a much lesser extent, it is ridden with American horse breeds in Europe and Australia.

Tiger horses are gaited, spotted horses with a coat color much like the Appaloosa. The tiger horse can exhibit various ambling gaits including various lateral gaits called the "glider gait" or Indian shuffle, stepping pace, and running walk, as well as the diagonal fox trot. Registered horses must exhibit gaits without artificial aids and while flat-shod.

The Spotted Saddle Horse is a horse breed from the United States that was developed by crossing Spanish-American type gaited pinto ponies with gaited horse breeds, such as the Tennessee Walking Horse. The result was a colorful, smooth-gaited horse, used in the show ring and for pleasure and trail riding. Two registries have been created for the breed, one in 1979 and the other in 1985. The two have similar registration requirements, although one has an open stud book and the other is slightly more strict with regard to parentage requirements, having a semi-closed stud book. The Spotted Saddle Horse is a light riding horse, always pinto in color. Solid-colored foals from registered parents may be registered for identification purposes, so their pinto-colored foals have documented parentage. They always perform an ambling gait, rather than a trot, in addition to the gaits of walk and canter, performed by all breeds.

The Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse is a horse breed from the U.S. state of Kentucky. Developed as an all-around farm and riding horse in eastern Kentucky, it is related to the Tennessee Walking Horse and other gaited breeds. In 1989 the Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse Association (KMSHA) was formed, and in 2002, the subsidiary Spotted Mountain Horse Association (SMHA) was developed to register Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horses with excessive white markings and pinto patterns. Conformation standards are the same for the two groups of horses, with the main difference being the color requirements. The KMSHA studbook is now closed to horses from unregistered parents, although it cross-registers with several other registries, while the SMHA studbook remains open.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spanish Jennet Horse</span> American breed of horse

The Spanish Jennet Horse is a modern American horse breed. It is gaited, with either pinto or leopard spotting; its conformation supposedly resembles that of the historical Spanish Jennet, a riding horse of Renaissance Europe, now absorbed into the Pura Raza Española.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trujillo Marinera Festival</span>

Trujillo Marinera Festival is a Peruvian cultural event held annually in Trujillo city in January. The event focuses on a dance contest called the marinera, a typical dance of the city and of the country. The festival also presents parades, presentations and competitions of Peruvian paso horses. Both the marinera dance and the Peruvian paso horse have been declared to be part of the cultural heritage of the nation by the Peruvian government. This festival is one of the most important cultural events and representative of the country and Trujillo city has been recognized by the Peruvian government as the National Capital Marinera by Law Number 24447, of January 24, 1986.

Competition of Paso Horses in Trujillo is a contest held in Trujillo city located at northern Peru. These competitions organized by the Association of Breeders and Owners of Paso Horses in La Libertad have as principal participants to the traditional Chalanes (riders) and Peruvian Paso horses in the city are celebrated annually. The care and training of Paso horses in this place is a very old tradition. Trujillo is known and considered as the Cradle of the typical Peruvian Paso Horse as well as the Capital of Culture of Peru so as the Capital of the Marinera dance, which is one of the most important cultural symbols in Peru.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mountain Pleasure Horse</span> Breed of horse

The Mountain Pleasure Horse is a breed of gaited horse that was developed in the Appalachian Mountains of Eastern Kentucky. This breed reflects the primitive Appalachian gaited horse type and genetic testing shows them to share ancestry with earlier breeds developed in the region, including the American Saddlebred, the Tennessee Walking Horse and the Rocky Mountain Horse. Some Mountain Pleasure Horse bloodlines are traceable for over 180 years.

Five-gaited horses are notable for their ability to perform five distinct horse gaits instead of simply the three gaits, walk, trot and canter or gallop common to most horses. Individual animals with this ability are often seen in the American Saddlebred horse breed, though the Icelandic horse also has five-gaited individuals, though with a different set of gaits than the Saddlebred.

References

↑ "Peruvian Paso Horse - Cultural Heritage of the Nation - INC" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
↑ Ministerio del Ambiente (2008). Ministry of Environment, Tourist Climate Guide - Perú -Senamhi, editorial=Q&P Impresiones S.R.L. Lince-Lima (Trujillo). Vol. p. 115. Av. Ignacio Merino N° 1546 Lince-Lima: Q&P Impresiones S.R.L.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
↑ Bennett, Deb. (1998). Conquerors: The Roots of New World Horsemanship, First Edition, Amigo Publications. ISBN 0-9658533-0-6
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Peruvian Paso." Horse Breeds of the World, International Museum of the Horse. Accessed July 4, 2008
↑ Albright, Verne. "Peruvian Paso" Archived 2008-06-11 at the Wayback Machine . Oklahoma State University. Accessed July 03, 2008.
↑ Hendricks, Bonnie L. and Anthony Dent. International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds. p. 340.
↑ Sol De Oro
↑ Example of Peruvian Horse's execution of the gait
↑ "Caballos de Paso-Festival de la Primavera" . Retrieved 29 March 2012.
↑ "Caballos de Paso-Festival de la Marinera" . Retrieved 29 March 2012.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
↑ "Caballo de Paso Peruano - Patrimonio Cultural de la Nación - INC" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2012.

External links

Registries and related Organizations

North American Peruvian Horse Association - http://www.napha.net
National Association of Breeders and Owners of Peruvian Paso Horses (Peru-Spanish language) http://www.ancpcpp.org.pe/
Peruvian Horse Association of Canada (Canada) http://www.phac.ca/

Educational Materials

History of the Peruvian Paso Horse - https://web.archive.org/web/20130902151839/http://www.therapyhorsesandhealing.com/history.html
Riding the Peruvian Horse (Equitation Guide) - https://web.archive.org/web/20100411063431/http://www.perolchico.com/english/ridingperuvianpaso.html
Proper Peruvian Show Ring Equitation - https://web.archive.org/web/20130826100333/http://www.friendsoftheperuvianhorse.com/equitation/proper_peruvian.htm

Publications

Made in Peru (magazine) - http://www.madeinperumagazine.net

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[1] "Peruvian Paso Horse - Cultural Heritage of the Nation - INC" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2012.

[MA-2] Ministerio del Ambiente (2008). Ministry of Environment, Tourist Climate Guide - Perú -Senamhi, editorial=Q&P Impresiones S.R.L. Lince-Lima (Trujillo). Vol. p. 115. Av. Ignacio Merino N° 1546 Lince-Lima: Q&P Impresiones S.R.L.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)

[3] Bennett, Deb. (1998). Conquerors: The Roots of New World Horsemanship, First Edition, Amigo Publications. ISBN 0-9658533-0-6

[IMH-4] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Peruvian Paso." Horse Breeds of the World, International Museum of the Horse. Accessed July 4, 2008

[5] Albright, Verne. "Peruvian Paso" Archived 2008-06-11 at the Wayback Machine . Oklahoma State University. Accessed July 03, 2008.

[6] Hendricks, Bonnie L. and Anthony Dent. International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds. p. 340.

[7] Sol De Oro

[8] Example of Peruvian Horse's execution of the gait

[9] "Caballos de Paso-Festival de la Primavera" . Retrieved 29 March 2012.

[10] "Caballos de Paso-Festival de la Marinera" . Retrieved 29 March 2012.^{[ permanent dead link ]}

[11] "Caballo de Paso Peruano - Patrimonio Cultural de la Nación - INC" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2012.

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