Paso Fino, pure from here

When people talk about Paso Fino may be referring to one of three distinct, but related:

• horse race native to Puerto Rico;
• particular gait of this breed;
• the generic term to refer to the different breeds of horses that share this particular way of walking.

Take, first, the race of Paso Fino Horses of Puerto Rico ... This breed, native to Puerto Rico, has a unique genotypic and phenotypic characteristics that distinguish it from other races Knights of America ...

The Paso Fino Horse of Puerto Rico has its origin in the horses that the Spanish conquistadors brought the "New World" can be seen ... especially the influence of the Berber horse ... as well, which according to Dr. Gus Cothran, a geneticist at the University Texas, the Paso Fino Horse Pure Puerto Rico is the race that is most similar to the old Iberian type horses ...

This horse population remained relatively isolated for almost 500 years with little outside influence ... and it is only recently (less than 50 years) when it is threatened by crossing with other breeds, specifically the Colombian Paso Horse ... From this stems the name of "pure", to differentiate those individuals who had no influence of Colombian blood of those who were the product of crossing between the two races ...

Today, the breed Paso Fino horses is regulated by different entities "purists", and by the Office of Paso Fino Department of Agriculture and Agro-Regulation of Industry Paso Fino Horse Pure Puerto Rico ...

The extensive use of inbreeding, especially during the last century - the first line of sweet dreams and their children, followed by Kofresí and their children, and more recently with the line of peasants - have set specific characteristics within the breed ... The most important feature of the breed Paso Fino Horses Pure Puerto Rico is its own way of walking ...

Some of the words we often hear when describing the Paso Fino is: cadence, rhythm, isochronism, softness, naturalness, maintenance, collection, speed, verve, finesse ... But what these terms mean and how they relate to the peculiar gait this breed of horses?

The basic movement of a copy of Paso Fino is divided to four equal times, by way of example, describe how: (1) left leg - (2) Left hand - (3) right foot - (4) Every right hand ... one of these moves is set in a space of time equal to that cadence ... equally spaced movements we call isochronism ...

Traditionally we have said that the Paso Fino is a movement in "four times side" because, visually, gives this impression ... But in reality, to study the mechanics of motion, we find that the Paso Fino is lateral (such as the amble) nor is diagonal (as is the trot) but found a happy medium between the two ... that's what in English is known as a "square gait" and in Spanish called "isochronous" ...

Turning to the four basic time we talked about earlier: (1) left leg - (2) Left hand - (3) right foot - (4) right ... If we take the first part of this movement: (1) Left leg - (2) left hand side we saw a movement, as both belong to the same side legs ... But when considering the next move: (2) Left hand - (3) right leg; appreciate a diagonal, as are legs diagonally opposite ...

We have seen that the cadence of the Paso Fino is four times isochronous, but what particular features must be observed within this movement? ... Since the Paso Fino was developed as a saddle horse that was comfortable for the rider, then we to start with the softness ... and this depends smoothly and / or is affected by various attributes, for instance, the delicacy and quiet tread rump ...

An example of how desirable it was this characteristic of the breed is found in the test cup of water that once used to be in the competitions ... A rider mounted on his copy had to be able to carry in his hand a glass of water without spilling not even a drop ...

There are other important elements that influence the smoothness of copy ... For example, a copy of which raises a lot of legs, treading necessarily stronger than one that stands little ... Similarly, a specimen that has a fluid movement in his fetlock and hock reflect movements in the legs less that a specimen that exhibits some stiffness in his hindquarters ... Therefore, the Paso Fino horse must run its way naturally and freely, not by force ... and the tread should be clear and precise, but soft ...

The tread of the Paso Fino Horse Pure contrast to tread Colombian Paso horse in that it is preferred that the latter is "sound" ... Put another way, the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino prefer a soft and delicate tread, while the Colombian Paso horse prefers a stronger and more solid footing ...

This gait own Paso Fino Horse can be divided into three "categories" or "levels" based on the travel speed to run the example ... In this way we are (1) Paso Fino, this being the shortest or "collected" in accordance with (2) Step Short, up to the (3) Step length, which would be the most "crowded out" of the three ...

Each of these categories or levels has its use and function ... The Paso Fino is the ideal that we find in the skills ... while the Paso Corto and Paso Largo, are ideal for riding, as they cover more distance with less effort copy ... The "Gait" is not considered among these three as the mechanics of their movements is different ... the Paso Fino (in any travel speeds) is a step in isochronous four times, while the walking is a step in two-side ...

When we say that the Paso Fino should be short or collected, we mean that its speed should be short ... put another way, which should cover a little ground with each step ... But this walk collected, to be precise, has to accompanied by some degree of rapidity in the movement ... is, that the idea of ​​the Paso Fino collection refers to a movement speed of the specimen with a short travel speed ...

Previously we said that the copy must run the Paso Fino naturally, not forced ... This "naturalness" is one of the most important qualities of Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino ... quality exhibited by foals from the moment of his birth ... and essential quality in competition, where all sample excuse not to maintain the support of the Paso Fino during the event ...

The Paso Fino is harmonious, is executed with grace and delicacy, yet with power and grace ... That will work, that "heart" that pushes forward, the force in the spirit ... that is what we call " brio "... It is important to note that the dash must be accompanied by a good temperament, gentleness and desire to please ... a difficult and grumpy horse does not have spirit ...

The sum of these qualities, the "package", that is what we call "fine" ... that is, that a copy of "fine" must (1) show naturally and freely in his walk, (2) must tread softly, softly , (3) must run quickly and collection, and (4) must do all this by showing gallantry and elegance ...

This is important to emphasize this because currently there is a tendency in the Paso Fino "international" (not the "purist") to consider "fine" only one copy which runs faster and displays the largest collection, regardless of any other Item ... these copies are quick and short, but not necessarily "fine" ...

And this brings us, necessarily, to define what Paso Fino "international" and how it differs from Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino ... We must begin by saying that the name "Paso Fino" is originally from Puerto Rico and initially was concerned, only, a horse race indigenous to the island and its characteristic walk ...

In the early 40's, some horses in the United States began importing Paso Finos from Puerto Rico ... and together with our horses, also imported the name of our race, Paso Fino ...

In the United States organized an entity using as competition regulations of Puerto Rico entities, specifically, the Federation ... and almost two decades later, began importing Colombian Paso Horses ... Puerto Rico followed this trend and the beginning of 70 years, also began to import Colombian Paso horses in order to "cool the blood" ...

Importantly, then, both Puerto Rican Paso Fino horses as Colombian Paso Horses were considered a single race ... or at least two "families" within the same race ... and both the U.S. and in Puerto Rico, are either registered under the name "Paso Fino" ... This notion still prevails in many places ... and all records "international" accept specimens from both races without distinction ...

Hence the name "Paso Fino" went from being the name of the horse breed native to Puerto Rico, to be the "generic" name that you know the two races share the same gait isochronous four times that Also known as "Paso Fino" ...

Today we know that there are phenotypic and genotypic differences between the two races ... and although both share the same mechanics on their way, there are marked differences between the preference of breeders and horsemen in Colombia and Puerto Rico ... For example, while in Puerto Rico has been given priority to the natural and smooth tread, Colombia has sought a copy of most sound and fast in execution ...

I want to clarify that my purpose is not paid to the issue of the name "Paso Fino" in this article ... As a "purist" recognize our right to claim the name of our race ... But on the other hand, I also recognize the historical circumstances that have brought this name to include other races besides our own ...