Both are gorgeous, though I prefer the look of the paso finos myself. But since you had the opportunity to work with both breeds, would you share why you chose Peruvian paso instead of paso fino?

For me I wanted the longer ground covering stride of the Peruvian for daily riding. Not just for showing. The termino action of the front legs actually originates from a rolling of the shoulder as this gait is diagonal . My horse 's stride was so long that when his hoof swung outward with termino, it made room for the hind foot on the same side to reach way beyond the print where the front one had been. I visited Peru , Puerto Rico, and Colombia for shows and farms so I experienced them in their original countries. Paso Finos are nice too. It's just a matter of personal choice.

Let me correct myself (typo)on previous statement. The gait is LATERAL, NOT DIAGONAL !! (Sorry).

Excuse the typos; texting one fingered in the dark will create a few! 😆

Speaking from decades of horse ownership, breeding and competing, the thing I admire most is the MIND of the horse. They rationalize things, rather than react to them. A thinking horse is an amazing thing to behold. Thanks for your comments!

I guess I learned that before I was 10 YO. My friend had a functionally well put together pony ( a Brumby) who had the plainest head, but she was a self motivated champion fast, games pony but totally trustworthy around children and not easily spooked and always co-operstive. She took care of her riders. I guess she set “ my Standard” for all other horsed to meet! 😄😆💖

Not if they're being bred to move like that, in such an artificial and ridiculous fashion. It won't go away until they're allowed to be natural horses.

@@susantunbridge4612 - That is a comment based on total ignorance of DSLD. DSLD, also known as ESPA, is a systemic genetic disease that also is found in very many horse breeds, including the Thoroughbred. Prof Halper, a leading geneticist and veterinarian, University of Georgia, is a world top researcher into DSLD / ESPA. To know the facts of the matter, one would suggest that you undertake your own research into this debilitating genetic disease; Thank you.

​@@susantunbridge4612 wow, you don't know Peruvians, do you? That "winging" movement of the front legs is called "termino" & its part of what they've been breeding IN to the horses for 400 years. It's a big part of why their gait is so smooth. If they're shod right, they have no more trouble than regular horses.

That winging, joint stress

Oh really? I beg to differ.

You might enjoy a production we did many years ago on tours to Peru, to ride the horses in the mountains, beaches, through town, to ancient ruins and more. They handle some amazing terrain in this episode. Here's the link! Enjoy! kzfaq.info/get/bejne/feB4lZmgv565YWw.html

I used to ride mine in the Rockies.

Owned my Peruvian in the Rockies, they did great in the mountains, very levelheaded and sure footed!

No they don't. Had one that lived to 25 years old and had extreme brio and spent it's days as a cutting horse on a ranch. Even in frail old age he moved as he did at 5 years old. They have been bred for centuries specifically for these traits including being robust which is why they are barrel chested for the high mountain air.

@@jamesdiaz793could they stand a person of 210 pounds? Or is that to heavy. Thanks

@@jamesdiaz793 You're wrong. Having one horse who survived does not mean that there isn't a problem. That's what you call "anecdotal". "Paso Finos have an above-average incidence of degenerative suspensory ligament disease. Researchers have yet to link specific genes to the condition, but inheritance patterns suggest DSLD has a genetic component in horses. DSLD causes the progressive deterioration of the suspensory ligament in horses, characterized by a slow dropping of the fetlock and lameness. The condition is painful, debilitating, and incurable. Eventually, some horses *struggle to stand comfortably and have to be euthanized*. The onset of the disease is subtle and often occurs in horses with no history of injury. Although once thought only to affect geriatric horses, DSLD can occur at any age. The disorder is most common in the Peruvian Paso, but Paso Finos also have an increased DSLD risk. DSLD involves abnormal proteoglycan deposition in connective tissues and abnormal collagen in ligaments. These abnormalities are also found in other parts of the body, putting Paso Finos at higher risk of other conditions such as aortocardiac fistulation." (madbarn.com) They are also more likely to get laminitis, as they gain weight easily. Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds, not so much.

@@InLawsAtticI have extra curves and my horses could handle me just fine.

Where in heaven’s name did you get that info from? That is so untrue.

You can search the Peruvian HOrse Assn of North America Directory at this link. Hope this helps. www.napha.net/member-directory/

They are an amazing group. If you look up our story on Raintree Peruvians, the owner was instrumental in forming the group. The Raintree Peruvian story was one of our first, and still very popular.

They are just the best

You're talk8ng Paso Finos. These are Peruvians. TOTALLY different. Different bloodlines, different origins, different gaits, 400 yr old stud book...

Bc a bicycle isn't sure-footed & can't love you back...

First the Peruvian PASO and the PASO fino are two separate breeds, but that’s not what we are posting about. Having had my heart broken owning a Peruvian diagnosed with DSLD. I read everything I could and talked with many vets and farriers. IMHO it is genetic, and the cure lies with breeders. I didn’t give up and go with another breed, because in my research I discovered this. Peruvian are not the only breed who suffer with this. Thoroughbreds,Arabians also suffer. My thoughts, be a careful buyer, be an educated buyer, but don’t give up on the breed. They are a dream horse!

I mean, it's not nescessarily that people are bouncing, but the fact of the matter is just that if the horse is not moving up and down as much you'll have a way easier time sitting still. I rode on a cuban paso as a novice rider once and I could sit it for hours while on a regular non gaited horse trotting I still have some difficulty not to bounce.