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HISTORY |
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"EL CABALLO PERUANO DE PASO" If you are looking for a smooth riding horse with an aristocratic and majestic history, look no further, the Peruvian Paso fits the bill. Over 400 years of tradition remain unchanged even in this day of modern techniques. From the breeding, training, tack, and the way the horses are presented in the show ring, the Peruvian breeders and their counterparts around the world have not changed their horse handling methods.
The Peruvian Horse of today is an equine that has been developed during 475 years of selective breeding. It descends from the Spanish horses of the old world, with attributes of the foundation horses, the Iberian Barb, the Spanish Jennet and the Andalusian. As the Spanish Crown continued to explorer the “new world” the shipment of horses was not only necessary, but required by the King. With the exploration and conquest of the Inca empire by Francisco Pizarro and his Spanish Conquistadors, the introduction of the Spanish horse in Peru began. The colonization of Peru and the reliance on the horse for transportation, reinforced the need to selectively breed to preserve and improve attributes of the foundation horses. The Peruvian Paso was linked to the upper class of Peru who were attracted to the breed by its aristocratic appeal, a means of comfortable transportation, and their beauty. The landowners bred stock for their own use, sharing a stallion, or a mare with a neighbor who admired them, and felt they would improve his herd. Thus the desirable traits, disposition, gait, conformation, and soundness were improved over the centuries.
The Peruvian Horse is trained and shown without aids. The hoofs are short and natural without shoes, while mane, fore-lock and tail are kept long. It's head carriage is high and stately, a reflection of it's natural "brio". This signature gait is called "paso llano" and it is unique to the Peruvian Horse. The Peruvian Horse's paso llano gait is rare in the horse world of today. The horses are shown in gait with the paso llano being preferred, while the sobreandando is acceptable. The paso llano is a perfectly timed four beat lateral gait giving the smoothest of rides, while the sobreandando is a lateral gait which is faster, being closer to the pace, and not being quite as smooth as the paso llano. In addition to an easy gait, the Peruvian Horse breeders desired a flashy front leg action, typified by the upward lifting and outward movement of the front legs similar to the loose outward rolling of a swimmer'. This movement is within the shoulder of the horse and is called "Termino". The lift and termino of the Peruvian Horse's front legs is natural and is well integrated in the gait sequence, thus providing a equine whom is smooth riding while being exuberant and on parade. The Peruvian horse was not bred just for gait, but disposition was equally as important. As a result of strict culling over the centuries, the Peruvian horse is also intelligent, tractable and eager to please, and yet maintains his presence and arrogance.
The Peruvian Paso's trainer is called a Chalan. The Chalan maintains the horse's gentle nature with patience and kindness. Young horses begin their ground-work as yearlings and continue until the age of 3 to 3 1/2, when work under saddle begins. Progress is slow but steady, allowing the Chalan to develop the horse's muscles and encourage it to move properly. Traditionally all Peruvian Horses are worked in the traditional Peruvian bozal at first, which is similar to the western bosal, but is fastened securely around the mussel with the reins attached at the top on each side. This promotes the carriage of a high headset, which is allowed in the young horse. It allows the horse to take long steps and encourage it's famous "advance". From the bozal the horse will progress into four reins, with the use of both the bozal and the classical Peruvian curb bit. The Chalan over time will transfer cues from the bozal to the bit. Once the horse is finished in bit, the Chalan works with the horse to bring out it's brilliance, natural energy, and brio.
A trait that distinguishes the Peruvian Horse, is his tremendous "brio". This is perhaps the most prized by both expert and novice horse people alike. Brio is an inherent quality of a noble and willing spirit that enables the horse to perform with an exuberance that can only be described as thrilling. Brio gives the Peruvian Horse its willingness and ability to perform tirelessly for many hours in the service of its rider.
Physically, the Peruvian Horse is a horse of medium size and refinement; a type and style of horse referred to in the equine world as a "light riding horse." The Peruvian Paso horse comes in all the basic colors, boasting a long, luxurious mane and tail. They range in size from 14 to 15 hands with the average being about 14.2. It is an animal of refined beauty with the strength to cover many miles a day.
Smooth to ride, beautiful to behold, and incredible brio - all traits that enable it to serve its rider in style. The Peruvian is more than just a show horse. He was bred and raised to work hard and provide smooth, reliable transportation. The Peruvian Paso Horse, in a few short years, has gained tremendous recognition and popularity in the United States. They are in use for show, pleasure, trail, endurance and parade riding. A horse for most occasions!
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