Breed Standard

The Paso Fino horse reflects its Spanish heritage through its proud carriage, grace, and elegance. Modern care and selective breeding have enhanced its beauty, refinement and well-proportioned conformation that convey strength and power without extreme muscling.

The Paso Fino is born with a gait unique to the breed and its attitude seems to transmit to the observer that this horse knows its gait is a very special gift that must be executed with style and pride!

The gait, being totally natural, does not exhibit the catapulting or exaggerated leg action of man-made gaits; rather the movements are smooth, rhythmic, purposeful, straight, balanced in flexion and synchronous front to rear, resulting in unequaled comfort and smoothness for the rider.

The Paso Fino is a graceful, agile, and supple equine athlete that uses all four (4) legs with precision and harmony. With its definite but controlled spirit, natural gait, presence and responsive attitude, the Paso Fino is indeed a rare and desirable partner.

Size: 13 to 15.2 hands with 13.3 to 14.2 being the most typical size. Weight is 700 to 1000 pounds. Full size may not be attained until the fifth year.

Color: Every equine color can be found, with or without white markings.

Disposition: The Paso Fino is an extremely willing horse that truly seems to enjoy human companionship and strives to please. It is spirited and responsive under tack while sensible and gentle at hand.

Mane, Tail, and Forelock: They are as long, full, and luxurious as nature can provide. No artificial additions are allowed.

Head: Well-shaped, alert, and intelligent face. The head is refined and in proportion to the body, with a defined, but not extreme jaw, and large, expressive eyes.

Neck: Gracefully arched, medium in length, and allowing for a high carriage.

Forehand: Shoulders slope into the withers with great depth through the hearth.

Midsection: The top line should be proportionately shorter than the underline. The back is strong and muscled.

Hindquarters: The croup is slightly sloping with rounded loins, broad hips, and strong hocks. The tail is carried gracefully when in motion.

Legs: Straight with refined bones, strong, well-defined tendons, and broad, long forearms with shorter cannons. The thigh and gaskin are strong and muscled but not exaggerated. Pasterns are sloping and medium in length.