How Long Do Paso Fino Horses Live?

The Paso Fino is a gaited horse breed known for distinct musculature and smooth ride. According to The Paso Fino Horse Association, it is not unusual for a well-cared-for Paso Fino to live well into its 30s. Paso Fino horses have a rich history dating back to the Spanish conquistadors, and require a certain level of specialized care to live up to their full potential.

  1. History

    • In the late 1400s and early 1500s, Spanish conquistadors imported their best horse breeds to South America: Spanish Barbs, Spanish Jennets and Andalusians. In Colombia and Puerto Rico, these breeds were cross-bred to create "Los Caballos de Paso Fino" or "The Horses with The Fine Walk." They were not imported into the United States until the 1950s, but have since been coveted for their stamina and smooth-riding gait.

    Characteristics

    • Paso Finos come in almost every horse color pattern, with the exception of distinctly Appaloosa patterns. Paso Finos range in size from 12 to just over 15 hands and weigh between 7 and 12 hundred pounds. Paso Finos' distinct musculature is slow maturing, so they do not reach full maturity until approximately 5 years of age. The mane and tail are distinctly thick and grow very long.

    Gait

    • The four beat ambling gait, which the Paso Fino is famous for, is a natural gait. This means that the horse does not have to be trained to enter the gait, but does so automatically. The Paso Fino executes three distinct gait patterns specific to its breed: The Classic Fino, the Paso Corto, and the Paso Largo. The Classic Fino is a slow forward gait in which the footfall is rapid and the leg extension and individual step pattern is short. The Paso Coro is a moderate-speed forward gait with a long leg extension and quick foot fall. The Paso Largo is a fast-paced gate with long extension and stride.

    Basic Care

    • Paso Finos should be provided adequate food including clean and nutritious horse feed, forage and vitamin supplementation if needed. Feed should be provided in a clean container off the ground. Specific feeding requirements vary from animal to animal, based on size, age and work load. Horses should be provided an unlimited supply of fresh and clean drinking water. Paso Finos should also be provided with both standard and emergency veterinary care. Standard health care includes regular checkups, vaccinations and worming.