Paso Fino, pure here

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

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

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

El Caballo de Paso Fino de Puerto Rico has its origin in horses that the Spanish conquistadors brought the "New World" ... in particular can be seen 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 breed that most resembles the old Iberian type horses ...

The horse population has 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 ..., hence the name "Pure" to distinguish those individuals who had no influence Colombian blood of those who were the product of crossing between the two races ...

Currently, race Paso Fino Horse is regulated by different entities "purists" and by the Office of Paso Fino Department of Agriculture, and the Regulations of the Agro-Industria del Caballo de Paso Fino Pure Puerto Rico ...

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

Some of the words we often hear when describing the Paso Fino are: cadence, rhythm, isochronous, soft, natural, maintenance, collection, speed, spirit, fine ... But what these terms mean and how they relate to the peculiar gait this breed of horses?

The basic motion of a copy of Paso Fino is divided in four equal times that, by way of example, described as: (1) left leg - (2) left hand - (3) Right Leg - (4) Each right hand ... one of these movements takes place 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 move in "four times side" because, visually, gives this impression ... But in reality, to analyze the mechanics of motion, we find that the Paso Fino is not lateral (such as the amble) nor is diagonal (as is the trot) but found a happy medium between the two ... that is what in English is known as a "square gait and in Spanish called" isochronous "...

Back to the four basic times we talked about earlier: (1) left leg - (2) left hand - (3) Right Leg - (4) right hand ... If we take the first part of this movement: (1) Left Leg - (2) left hand; appreciate a lateral movement, as both legs are in the same way ... But when considering the next move: (2) left hand - (3) right leg; appreciate a diagonal movement, they are feet diagonally opposite ...

We have seen that the rate of the Paso Fino is four times isochronous, but what characteristics should be observed within this movement? ... Since the Paso Fino was developed as a riding horse that was comfortable for the rider, then we begin by the softness ... and this softness is dependent and / or affected by various attributes, such as, the delicacy in the tread and the stillness of rump ...

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

Other important elements affecting the soft copy ... For example, a specimen that raises a lot of legs, bruise necessarily stronger than one that raises little ... Similarly, a specimen that has a fluid motion in their giblets and hocks reflect movements in the legs less than a specimen that exhibits some stiffness in his hind ... Therefore, the Paso Fino horse to run your step with ease and fluidity, not forcefully ... and your ride should be clear and precise, but soft ...

The tread of the Horse of Paso Fino Puro contrast to tread Colombian Paso Horse in that it prefers the latter is "sound" ... In other words, the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino prefer a soft and delicate footprint, while Colombian Paso Horse prefer a stronger footing and solid ...

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, which is the shortest or "collected" in accordance with (2) Short Step to the get to (3) Paso Largo, which would be the most "displaced" from the three ...

Each of these categories or levels has its use and function ... The Paso Fino is the ideal way to find on 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 of their travel speed) is a step in four days isochronous, while a step in Gait two-stroke side ...

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

We said earlier that the copy must run the Paso Fino naturally, not forced ... This "naturalness" is one of the most important qualities of the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino ... quality exhibited by foals from the moment of its birth ... and quality essential in competition, where all copy excuse not to hold the support of the Paso Fino throughout the event ...

The Paso Fino is harmonious, runs with grace and delicacy, yet with energy and grace ... That will work, that "heart" that pushes forward, the force in the spirit ... that's what we know as " brio "... It is important to note that the dash must be accompanied by a good temper, gentleness and desire to please ... a horse difficult and not necessarily grumpy verve ...

The sum of these qualities, this "package", that is what we call "finesse" ... that is, that a copy of "fine" must (1) show naturalness and fluency in his walk, (2) must tread delicately, gently , (3) must run quickly and collection, and (4) must do all this by showing poise and elegance ...

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

And this brings us, per force, to define what Paso Fino "international" and how it differs from Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino ... We should start by saying that the name "Paso Fino" is originally from Puerto Rico and initially was concerned, only, the breed of horse native to the island and its characteristic walk ...

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

In the United States was organized using an entity based on the competition rules of the entities of Puerto Rico, more specifically, of the Federation ... and almost two decades later, began to import 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" ...

It is important to note that at the time, 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 in both United States and Puerto Rico, are either registered under the name "Paso Fino" ... This notion still prevails in many places ... and all records "international" accept samples from both races without any distinction ...

Hence the name "Paso Fino" went from being the name of bloodstock native Puerto Rico, to be the name "generic" that we know the two races that share the same gait in four times that isochronous also known as "Paso Fino" ...

Today we know that phenotypic and genotypic differences between the two races ... and even though 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 Puerto Rico has been given priority to the naturalness and softness in the tread, Colombia has sought a copy of more sound and fast in execution ...

I want to clarify that my purpose is not payable to the problem of the name "Paso Fino" This article ... As a "purist" recognize our right to claim the name of our race ... But on the other hand, I do admit the historical circumstances that have brought this name to include other races than our own ...