WestwindPasos.com
Title
Paso Fino Horses at Westwind Ranch
Description
There are many reasons that a Paso gets under your skin and into your heart-but it always comes down to one most enduring trait- their naturally genetic gait, creating for the rider the smoothest, most comfortable, mile after mile, "no bounce" ride of any horse you have ever encountered!
The Paso gait is essentially a broken pace, a lateral, not diagonal gait. The sequence of the hooves are: right rear, right fore, left rear, left fore. The hind foot touches the ground a fraction of a second before the front foot. When performed on a hard surface, a definite 1,2,3,4 can be heard. Propulsion is primarily from the hind legs yet the motion is absorbed through the back and loins. The croup remains relatively still. These aspects eliminate the jarring effects of a true pace and causes the rider practically no up and down movement. This gait is performed at three speeds with the collection of the carriage decreasing as the speed increases. While all this may sound confusing, remember, this gait is natural to a Paso Fino horse.
The gait of Paso Fino horses is totally natural and usually exhibited from birth. No artificial devices or enhancements are used. The Paso is shown with a full, flowing mane and tail and no adornments such as silver are allowed on the tack or on the rider's costume. The emphasis is totally on the horse itself so no "distractions" from the horses' natural performance is encouraged.
