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WHAT IS
THE MEANING OF “PASO FINO”?
“Paso Fino” may be translated from Spanish to English as “Fine
Step,” due to the smoothness, elegance, and well-coordinated movement of the
four hooves. In Paso Fino, each hoof moves independently from the other
three hooves in a perfect succession, which translates into a rhythm of four
by four. Thus, four independent quick beats or sounds are heard when the four
hooves hit the ground during every cycle, one sound for each hoof. The
evenly alternated movement among the four hooves makes the Paso Fino an
isochronic gait.
Note: In gaits, a cycle is completed when the horse moves each one of the
four hooves one time. A gait, then, is a succession of similar cycles.
The maximum smoothness of a Paso Fino depends on how perfectly the horse
performs the gait, using an equally alternated sequence of its four hooves,
as follows: 1) a hind leg; 2) the same side foreleg; 3) the other hind leg;
4) the last foreleg. For instructional purposes, the sounds produced for
this sequence of four beats are like “TA - CA – TA – CA,” respectively (see
photo below).
While the four hooves are moved in this sequence within every cycle, the
horse supports its weight in eight different stages: Two lateral supports
(same side legs being on the ground); two diagonal supports (opposite front
and hind legs being on the ground); two supports with one front leg and both
hind legs being on the ground; and two supports with both front legs and one
hind leg being on the ground.
IS THE PASO FINO A NATURAL GAIT
?
A Paso Fino horse is born with the natural ability to perform the
gait. This means that the Paso Fino gait is neither an artificial gait
created by the rider nor a gait that takes years of training. Therefore,
young riders and new riders are easily able to ride Paso Finos and maintain
a smooth gait.
Although the Paso Fino gait is natural, these horses require training like
any other breed of horse. However, training is not oriented to changing the
gait, but rather allowing the horse to learn all of the rider’s commands and
achieving a balanced gait with perfect symmetry, while carrying extra weight
on its back. In addition, during the training process, the Paso Fino horse
gradually develops the muscles to perform its gait in a collected manner,
with the hind legs properly underneath the abdomen.
Note: The answers to these questions are excerpts of the book:
“SCIENCE AND
ART OF THE PASO FINO HORSE”
written by Diego Bravo.
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