Peruvian Stepping Horse

Peruvian Stepping Horse

The Peruvian Stepping Horse, also called the Peruvian Paso, has a unique gait specially developed to carry a rider long distances with a minimum of fatigue. This horse moves the forelegs in an extravagant paddle while the hind legs move in a long-striding straight line. The hindquarters are held low and the hocks are sound. The action seems to be similar to the medieval gait called the amble which is now and almost certainly to our disadvantage unknown in Europe. The life span of the Peruvian Stepping horse is 25-30 years.

History of Peruvian Stepping Horse

The Peruvian Stepping horse saw its origin in Peru, South America. The horse is bred in Colombia and the United States as well. It is in these countries that the horse has achieved immense popularity. In 1532, the horses were brought to Peru for the very first time. The credit for bringing horses to this land goes to the Spanish adventurer Francisco Pizarro. Over the centuries these horses have retained the lateral gait related to the ambling, Spanish Jennet.

The gaits of this horse have been developed and polished so much so that they are regarded as a horse breed characteristic that makes the Peruvian Stepping horse distinguishable from the other Criollos of South America. These gaits permit the Peruvian Stepping horse to cover long distances over mountain passes and plains at an outstanding speed, at the same time providing great comfort to the rider. The most distinctive horses have been produced after great selective breeding of the small, very specialized riding horses.

The physique of Peruvian Stepping Horse

The Peruvian Stepping horse has a broad and deep chest, providing exceptional room for the heart and lungs. It has strong loins and quarters. The hind legs are unusually long with great flexibility of the joints. It has long pasterns and hard feet. Its forelock and mane are radiant and copious.

Height of Peruvian Stepping Horse

The Peruvian Stepping horse attains a height of 14-15.2 hands high.

Body Color of Peruvian Stepping Horse

The coat of the Peruvian Stepping horse is of the bay, black, buckskin, brown, palomino, dun, gray, roan, or chestnut color. On the legs and face, white markings are acceptable.

The Temperament of Peruvian Stepping Horse

This horse has enormous endurance and thrives under stress. It performs nicely with pride and enthusiasm. This horse possesses a lot of stamina and is willing, and able to perform indefatigably for several hours and scores of miles.

Uses of Peruvian Stepping Horse

The comfortable ride that is provided by the Peruvian Stepping horses has made them renowned throughout the planet. Since 2003, these horses are used for leisure time riding, trail, endurance riding, horse shows, and parades.

The Peruvian Stepping horse has been bred for 300 years which explains its physical development. It is thought to have stemmed from three-quarters Barb and one-quarter Andalusian ancestry but under the same pressures of climate, terrain, and pasture which created the Criollo; it has evolved into a distinctive South American Criollo type.

Similarities to the Peruvian Stepping horses exist in some of the gaits of North American horses such as the rack and the single foot but it has no exact parallel. It is a gait that can be kept up untiringly by the horse, even in difficult country and it is very easy on the rider. It can be said undoubtedly that this horse is enjoying international repute because of its wonderful gait and endurance.

See more: Rhineland Horse