Understanding the Paso Fino Gaits

Tips, Articles, and Stories For The Paso Fino Horse Enthusiast

The Paso Fino Horse can perform a number of gaits, including the Walk and Canter which is natural for all horse breeds.
Know The Paso Fino and Its Gaits "Ala Naturale" ... the smooth cadillac riding gait or the "champagne ride"; today's Paso Finos are enjoyed mainly for pleasure, trail, show, and breeding, while some also compete in endurance, team penning, field trial hunting, and dressage events. What makes the Paso Fino horse so smooth to ride? The Paso Fino performs an evenly spaced four beat gait. The footfall is the same as the equine walk, but executed with varying speeds and degrees of collection. Since each hoof hits the ground separately and distinctly, the jarring effect of a true pace or trot is eliminated, and produces almost no up and down movement for the rider. The motion is absorbed in the horse's back and loins giving the rider unequaled riding comfort. Paso Finos with balanced conformation, and sloping shoulder and pastern angles will usually give a smoother ride. The smooth Paso Fino gait is perfect for a rider with back problems, physical ailments, and disabilities.
Classic Fino A four beat gait evenly spaced natural to only some Paso Finos. It is a show ring gait. The horse moves with minimal forward extension of stride, and extremely rapid footfall with much brio.
Corto A four beat evenly spaced gait natural to the Paso Fino, with the forward speed of a trot. Paso Finos often prefer this gait; the corto is comfortable and treasured for trail riding. It is a requirement in Performance and Pleasure show classes.
Largo A four beat evenly spaced gait with the speed of a canter or extended trot. This gait is longer strided than the corto with a faster forward speed covering more ground. The largo is required in Performance and Pleasure show classes.
Other related gait forms that some Paso Finos perform, but are considered improper gaits for the show ring:
Trocha A four beat diagonal relaxed form of gait which some Paso Finos will do in training before they get their balance with a rider; not considered acceptable as correct gait in the show ring.
Pace A two beat lateral gait which causes a stiff, rough-riding side-to-side movement for the horse and rider discomfort. The horse's lateral legs move together in rhythm hitting the ground at the same time, causing a side to side motion. This is the least desirable of gaits that a Paso Fino may perform.
The Show Ring Gait Divisions include: (1) Classic Fino (2) Performance (3) Pleasure These divisions are usually offered in Open, Amateur Owner and Youth classes.
The Classic Fino Division The Classic Fino horse is like a "prima-ballerina in tap dance" mode. He has slow forward speed movement while demonstrating a very rapid rhythmic footfall, maintaining an even and symmetrical 4-beat gait. The Classic Fino horse should be energetic and not be forced into a fino gait with heavy restraint. The horse is required to excecute the Classic Fino gait when moving, and a halt and reverse. The Performance Division The Performance horse appears to be in "turbo-charged" mode. The performance horse is fancy and animated in his movements. He perfoms a collected walk; an energetic, powerful corto, and an extended stride in a largo speed maintaining his driving action and a collected presence. Performance horses often have a big motor with a rear drive executing with elevated symmetrical action and rolling hocks, all combined with quickness of footfall. The Pleasure Division The Pleasure horse appears as a "ten-speed bicycle out on a scenic bike route". His efforts are more relaxed than the perfomance horse, but while still maintaining a mild collection. He appears to float along in a very willing manner with a pleasant pleasing attitude. The unrestrained walk should be flat-footed, the mildly-collected corto is responsive and smooth, and the largo should be slightly collected with a clear transition from corto to largo speed. Excessive speed at the largo often causes the horse to get strung out in the rear which is not desireable. The pleasure horse must demonstrate a back or they cannot place. Manners and willing attitude are very important in the pleasure Paso Fino, who also maintains a classy presence. The Bellas Formas or Conformation Division A Paso Fino in conformation is judged on its likeness to the breed standard and Paso Fino phenotype. Simply, it needs to look like a Paso Fino! Balance of the body parts and correct structure is important for the horse to maintain soundness and perform a smooth gait that tracks straight, even, and symmetrical. Transmissable faults are to be penalized as this is considered a breeding class. The Bellas Formas horse with a handler(s) enters the ring at either a corto or fino gait demonstrating its quality of gait. The horse lines up in the center of the ring for a closer examination of its conformation. The horse should be squared up and remain alert at inspection. Its teeth and bite can be examined for abnormalties while a stallion may be checked for normal testicles count and size. The horse should be mannerly in the line-up. The Specialty Division The Specialty horse classes include Trail, Western Pleasure, Country Pleasure, Versatility, and Pleasure Driving. Largo races and Costume are other classes that may be offered. All class and division requirements and rules are explained in the official Paso Fino Horse Association rulebook which should be your guide if you are an exhibitor, owner, trainer or spectator involved in showing a Paso Fino. The official show steward can help answer questions on proper attire, tack, and interpretation of the show rules.