Gaits of the Peruvian Paso Horse
1. Huachano: an ancient way of going.
Is a style of going in which each leg of the same side raises and
lowers at the same time. The front leg goes always forward and the
back leg goes forward and lands at the same time. This gait is of
two equal beats and is inherently natural of animals of depth of
breed and is used by them instinctively. The strike of the back leg
will always overstep by a very long way that of the front of the
same side. The huachano gait is considered the starting point of all
of these other gaits.
2. Entrepaso.
Follows the same sequence of the huachano but with telescopic
effect; its overstep is a little shorter and that makes it be of
less advance and in which in one moment there is equal support in
the 4 legs while in the huachano there are moments of change of
support (my note: meaning side to side). This gait is very
comfortable for the rider because he can go long distances without
getting tired.
3. Sobreandando (or Sobreandando or Aguilillo)
This is the first breaking of the lateral stepping. It is executed
in 4 beats, not 2 by 2, but in which the lateral steps are closer to
each other. This gait is not of equal timing. During the sequence
there are 2 moments in which both legs on the same side are
supporting and these moments predominate by their duration. But also
there are 2 (moments) of diagonal support and 4 (moments) of triple supports.
The overstep of the rear leg passes the front less than in the Huachano. In
these sequences the horses overstep very well, the advance being greater than in
the Paso Llano but is less than in the Huachano.
4. Paso Llano Gateado (or Companero).
The lateral way of going is broken into 4 beats, not equally timed
but with beats of two sounds. There is equal(harmonious co-ordination of the
FORWARD MOTION of the knee and the hock) movement between the
knee and the hock, the horse squatting a little over the hindlegs,
and permitting a higher action of his front legs. It is a
comforatble way of going harmoniously rythmically and relaxed that
gives you the impression that the animal is swimming, being the action of front
legs elastic and giving the impression of a very natural way of going. This gait
gets close to equally timed giving during the sequence 2 lateral supports, 2
diagonals and 4 triple supports. The Paso Llano Gateado is the gait more
desirable in the breed.
5. Paso Llano Picado.
The steps are executed breaking the pace, and the sound is of equal
spacing (timing). This gait is equally timed of 4 equal beats
indicating perfectly the horse's movement. The overstep of the back
leg on the same side only covers the mark of the front leg, being a
sequence comfortable of normal advance of 2 lateral supports, 2
diagonal supports and 4 triple supports.
6. Paso Llano Golpeado.
The stepping is executed in 4 sounds with very little intervals in
between the 2 diagonal sounds, with the last 2 sounds predominating.
It is a way of going without harmony between the back legs with the
front legs. In general a lot action and termino and not too much
advance. The marking of the back legs don't meet the markings of the
front legs. This gait is characterized by less smoothness but with
more high action with impression of large impulsion of the front legs. It is
also called Chapaleador.
7. Paso Menudeado (of Mule, Priest or Aguillillo).
Aguillillo is a Paso Llano of very little overstep. Is a word used
commonly in the south of Peru. Not to be confused with the
Aguillillo or Sobreandando (#3). This gait is very similar to the
Paso Llano Golpeado except for the little action of the fronts legs
and also little overstep. Reasonably comfortable for the rider but
is a gait not too desirable.
8. Pasitrote.
The stepping is of 4 beats, the diagonal supports predominating, but
sometimes changes to lateral. This gait shows lack of breed and is
undesirable. This gait has little advance and is rough.