Just how smooth?

[ambulance_Driver]

How smooth are paso finos supposed to be? I test rode one today and it deffinately wasn't smooth. It's hard to explain but it wasn't jarring/bouncey enough to post like you would a trot but it sure wasn't a floating smoothness like a peruvian either. I really should've worn my no bounce ok jiggle bra. I just felt like I was jiggling all over, not floating. I can't decide if my back hurts more from riding the paso, or the tb earlier today. Would it help if the horse was more collected? What is the ride supposed to feel like?

[Cindy]

They all vary in smoothness from you don't feel movement at all to a bit of a jiggle when they are correct. But if it was that bouncy and your back hurt after the ride, something was not right. Even the ones with the little bit of jiggle do not hurt your back. In fact quite the opposite. The little jiggle actually works like a massage and if you have a sore lower back prior to riding, it will often times loosen your back up and the soreness will be gone after the ride.

[Pasogirlz]

It can vary horse to horse. But it sounds like maybe the horse you rode was not in gait at the time. :confused Each paso rides a little different, which is why it is good to ride many before you buy one. ;-)

[Carol Nelson]

Gosh, I love that little jiggle!!! Even the trot on a Paso is usually smooth...now, what may have happened is if the horse did not know you, you may have gotten the "bang, bang, knock 'em up, see if they can take it" gait... :lol:
Honestly, my gelding has two ways of going. For me, he is smooth as a baby's butt...but for someone that he particularly isn't fond of, he will still give them gait, but I can see from watching that he isn't giving them the same ride he gives me.
And they will get off and say, "Well, that wasn't THAT smooth..." :lol:
Same with inexperienced riders, he will "take care of them" if he likes them. When I first learned to ride, he would come back under me and pick me up if I slid too far to the left or right. Then as my riding skills increased so did his "teaching"...it was if he would say, ok, mom, now you can do this, you know you can!
Now even though I don't ride very often anymore, we still can put on a show together...people beg me to ride him for them as together we can really pick 'em up and set 'em down...came from years of hours in the saddle. We're still a team, even after his founder, and I'm not a spring chicken anymore. ;-)
Paso Finos are incredibly, incredibly SMART!!!

[Boyd R]

If he was not collected he probably was not in good gait.
And yes they all feel different. I have one that I am working now that when he is in perfect gait you literally can not feel him moving, and he can get so bad that he is in perfect posting trot. This past weekend was his first trail ride in some time and He troted so much that I have had a bout of Siatica that is making my toes numb all week.

[baileyholc]

If he was not collected he probably was not in good gait.
And yes they all feel different. I have one that I am working now that when he is in perfect gait you literally can not feel him moving, and he can get so bad that he is in perfect posting trot. This past weekend was his first trail ride in some time and He troted so much that I have had a bout of Siatica that is making my toes numb all week.

I am sorry Boyd that you are Siatica that your toes are numb. Not making a fun at you. But, How is Noche? Knucklehead lol as you call him Sorry couldn't resist.

Sandra, I can agree with everyone that has posted about each one being different. I have ridden quite a few so far and each one has been different. Some made me feel like I was still riding and others mad me feel like I need a cyropractor and some I didn't want to get off of becouse they felt so good. You just have to keep looking you will find one that you will think is unbelievable.

[Laura S]

I was riding a paso once and the person behind me said I looked like I was in a washing machine, and that is exactly how I felt! The owner told me to tighten my reins a bit, and that made the horse collect more and be more smooth. I have ridden other pasos that felt like I was floating on a cloud. They are all different and you need to try out lots before you can decide what you like. And it's fun test riding!!

[ambulance_Driver]

Within the next couple of weeks I will be going up to Cedar Falls and test riding several of Trudy Wiechers' horses. I've ridden dressage and tried to collect him but I wanted to be very gentle because of the bit that his owner had been using on him which was a western bit with a lot of shank. Hopefully my test rides will go better and I will find one I like (I just hope that I can afford it too!)

[pnalley]

Hopefully my test rides will go better and I will find one I like (I just hope that I can afford it too!)

If you find the "right" one, you'll find a way to make it yours.

In case no one has warned you, Paso's are addictive. You start with one and before you know it you have a herd :roll:

[ambulance_Driver]

I hope so because even a $3000 paso is out of the question. I would have to make several payments. If my own peruvian paso were friendly I'd just keep him.

[Terri]

I hope you find the right one too! They are usually very people friendly horses.

From your descriptions, sounds like the one you rode was in Trocha or maybe even trotting. Paso can do all kinds of gaits, it is the smooth one you are looking for.

1st time my friend rode my horse she said it "felt like a butt massage". In fact she was having "lady problems" that day and the movement of the Corto helped her cramps. Yesterday I did something to my back as I unhooked the trailer. Had to sleep with a heating pad and take a pill. But it was a beautiful morning this morning and no one was going to deny me my ride. I some how mananged to swing a leg over Rio and off we went. He stayed in gait and I definitely felt better after. I am still sore but was able to put away 40 bales of hay later. A paso's gait should make you feel better afterward, not worse.

[SandyMM]

If it's the right Paso - it will find you... good luck.

[Brigitte]

A paso's gait should make you feel better afterward, not worse.

So true...

[ambulance_Driver]

ok after looking around on the net, i've come to the conclusion that i REALLY can't afford one. The one I looked at I can afford. Would it be worth it to put a payment down on him, get his feet trimmed up and ride him in a kinder english bit and get him collected to see if that will help? I've also seen trainers on the net that will tune up a gaited horse without using inhumane methods. Would it be worth it to send him to one? I'm really wanting something to ride, and I really liked his personality. His current owner has used him to trail ride and chase cows. I would really appreciate your HONEST opinions on this one.

Thanks guys!
Sandra

[Abejita]

No. The horse may still never be a smooth as you want ..you could pay for the 3000.00 dollar horse put another 1200.00 in training in it plus time and STILL not have what you want. Just be patient and keep looking .There are true bargains out there but you most likely will have to look hard and maybe long.Plus maybe even different areas of the country.
I am not saying that you might not be correct about his problem and he might be easily fixable..but if you dont have that money to 'throw away' (and you basically have said you dont) it isnt worth it to you.-yes if he doesnt work you might be able to see him and recoup some of your money-but maybe not?

[ambulance_Driver]

His current price is only $1250 which is nice but you do have a point. I'm just afraid that I won't be able to ride jumpers much longer, as it's causing a lot of sciatica pain and with my job I need my back as long as possible. Honestly riding is the only thing that keeps me sane lol. If everyone could please keep their eyes peeled for me for a paso that would be great. I would prefer a mare but not ness. Age not important, as long as it's at least green broke and still sound enough for trail riding. Thanks

[motorgypsy]

People post about the bargains on here and these are generally knowledgeable people so some questions to help us look for you

How much do you weigh? In other words using the 25% rule can you ride the small ones also? They come in all sizes but if you are a large person you are limited in your search. A 13 2 paso fino weighs in at about 750 pounds which means they can carry about 190 including tack. Yes you have to consider "sink" - flexibility of suspensories, back - flat and fairly short or long with a higher backbone. The second type - flexy, long back and so on cannot carry 25%. I probably wouldn't even do 20% on one.

Do you have any other preferences. Do remember the less criteria you start with the more likely you are to find a good one faster.

Do you like a horse hot, average or mellow? Do you enjoy a challenge or do you want "push button"?

What do you want to do with the horse - dressage, trail, endurance, speed events, shows, jumping, team penning, parades, hunter pace, or just mess around??? There are paso finos that are excellent at all of these events.

NO do NOT switch bits. The Colombian or Myler independent shank bit just requires light hands which I'm sure you have because it sounds like you know how to read a horse. Our guys are trained to respond to the lightest of cues. If you want collection you just LIFT the front ever so gently. If you can you'll want to watch a trainer at Trudy's place. They are a huge help. A fully trained paso fino will gait correctly with no bit and nothing but a leadline on a halter but many paso fnos will get very heavy on the forehand with a snaffle. We know. We thought the same thing and used snaffles. Not only did they hate them but they gaited more roughly.

As everyone has said each paso fino gaits differently. There are foot slammers and those with a feather touch and those inbetween. You'll know what you want when you ride it.

You'll hear a lot about trocha and how bad it is. Trocha is a diagonal 4 beat gait which can be as smooth as the paso fino gait but if you are buying a paso fino you don't really want one that doesn't gait correctly. How do you know the gait is correct? Because you can feel the impact of each hoof on the ground and it should be perfectly evenly timed. Will paso finos go out of gait? Sure - on rough ground, when hoof angles are changed, when tired. But you want one whose gait of choice is the evenly timed gait, not an uneven gait if possible.

We also don't recommend that you buy this paso fino unless you want to pay for a trainer to check it out first and give you an opinion about the gait. We rode many cheapies who didn't gait correctly and at the time did not feel qualified to tweak the gait to correct it. There are reasons for cheap paso finos and usually it is behavior or gait problems. But some times it is just money problems or health.

Don't rush. There are plenty of great ones out there. Trudy comes into FL fairly often I think so if BarbP has a good one she could probably bring it back for you for a reasonable fee. Florida has a lot of paso finos. We actually moved there to find ours.

No your back should NOT hurt after you ride. The most tiring gait on a paso fino is the walk - not because it is jarring but because you don't get the massage you get from the gait.

Good luck with your search. Just like any other breed we have the good, the bad and the inbetween paso finos so take your time and find a good one and you'll never part with it.

[Pasogirlz]

How long have you been Paso shopping? Sometimes it can be tedious, but worth it in the end.

It's possible the horse you speak of could smooth out w/collection and training, but it also might not. I'd rather see you be patient and the right horse at the right price will come along.

Believe me, we never thought we'd find a horse in our price range w/the qualities we were looking for, but we finally did.

And it is true, keep an eye on the forum. There are bargins posted and chatted about all time here. And eveyone will be happy to assit you w/your questions. ;-)

[Pasogirlz]

by Michele Londono, Ph.D.

Few people realize it, few horsemen and horsewomen from other breeds even know this. In the Paso Fino breed, the rider can be 40% to 70% responsible for the gait of the Paso Fino under saddle! This makes riding the Paso Fino horse quite a challenging, but also quite a rewarding experience. And Paso riding has mostly become the fastest growing equine sport of the new millennium.

Yes, the Paso Fino foal is already naturally gaited at birth and yes, the solid training of a good Paso Fino horse can enhance his gait considerably for the ring or for the trail, with bitting or without bitting. If you ever wonder why the same Paso Fino horse ridden by his owner and then ridden by the trainer will look very different, the answer is both in the seat and in the individual amount of bonding of the horse with the rider. This happens in all breeds. But ridden by a true beginner, the best gaited Paso Fino horse might well start to trot! Why? Because the rider is not giving the cues necessary to the harmonious headset and four-beat gait combination, it is all in the rider's hands, know-how and the seat.

How can a beginning rider hinder the Paso Fino gait? It can happen either by dropping the reins too low, or by pulling too hard on the mouth, for lack of balance, or giving confusing leg aids. The same way a new rider can cause the sensitive Paso Fino horse to loose his four beat balance under saddle--and his temper sometimes--, a new owner can cause it just by not respecting the correct feet angles for the Paso Fino, if the farrier follows the lower angles of racing horses or quarter horses. Let's use a metaphor that works pretty well in the world of arts to illustrate the extent of damage that can be caused by incorrect riding skills and-- or-- by the lack of good shoeing angles, for a Paso Fino. Ballet and Paso Fino riding are art forms. The Paso Fino in many ways is like a ballerina. Who could blame a ballerina for looking clumsy and tripping on a rocky road, while she does glide perfectly on a shiny stage floor?

This article aims at helping the first time Paso Fino owner and rider with a working gait formula.

All elements of the Paso management and the riding formula have to be perfectly right for the Paso Fino horse to act elegant and smooth at all times under saddle, and, to this effect, a few Paso Fino riding lessons remain the key to success under saddle, at least at the beginning, until you bond with your horse.

What is essential is to have a few Paso points of reference, to read about Pasos and to recognize the need for pointers, all in order to gait successfully. However, this basic need for very correct riding skills in order to get a true Paso gait represents in no way a threat to the sport, it should not be seen as work, as a limitation or a fast stop to the true enjoyment of the breed. All the opposite. It should be seen as a challenging horsemanship feature and a chance for further bonding experience with the horse. The beauty of the Paso Fino horse is actually in his own versatility, a rider may be successful under saddle not only in western skills, but also in English skills, jumping, barrel racing, cattle work and competitive trails or endurance. The same Paso Fino horse with sound training basics can actually or virtually excel at all these disciplines at the same time, and win all the competitions, if the rider gives him the correct cues and bonds with the Paso horse as a riding team. It has been done. Paso Finos usually win three days events and even endurance competitions, to everyone's amazement, considering the hotter temper and the smaller size of Paso Finos.

Pasos are pleasers and they respond to new cues without hesitation, children can ride them and senior citizens as well, without any problem, handicapped riders benefit from Paso Fino school teachings. Pasos will adjust to neck reining, bosal riding, bareback riding, they can wonderfully answer to leg cues when the reins are dropped, and they respond as well as they can to bit or bitless cues, when the legs are not there, Pasos are wonderfully gifted and it is only doing them justice to try and learn how to ride them better for the quality of their gait. This article is not intended to teach specific riding techniques for the Paso Fino. It is best to learn under the careful eyes of a serious, experienced and dedicated Paso professional instructor at an established Paso Fino school. But sometimes Paso Finos travel to far-away places where the owners are at a loss for Paso trainers or even for riding instructors even remotely familiar with the still mysterious Paso Fino breed. We have had the case of Paso Finos exported to Canada, Central America, Germany, Asia. Their new owners crave Paso information, that is still too scarce in English at this date, since most books on training Paso Fino horses are originally written in Spanish and not translated or unavailable in the public libraries, and still absent from bookstores or feedstores. The Internet with Paso webpages comes as a handy tool nowadays for hands-on clinics and videos. Check it out!

What follows is just a guideline, if we were to give here a few pointers only for the true Paso beginners, and for riders coming from any other equestrian disciplines, using leg aids in dressage or in Western riding styles.

Riders of dressage may ride a Paso Fino successfully, as they have the naturally balanced body carriage and seat, and the gentle, soft use of the hands. All they need to do is omit any excess of leg and thigh pressure, as Paso Finos are naturally driven forward and need no spurring ahead, that would virtually turn them into time-bombs. All they need is a light slowing down from the reins, and a few stops with immediate rein release. Pulling the reins back --even slightly-- automatically means backing up, in any trained Paso mind. When you feel the Paso engine under you, for the very first time, it feels like a porsche or a racecar! That is what we call " Paso brio" or spirit. It can scare people first hand, but it is a quality, not a defect! Brio needs to be there, it is your accelerator. Do not worry. Do not panic. Do not give unclear commands. Riding a Paso with brio becomes a passion and a delight. Your gentle hands are the breaks, do not abuse the break, do not abuse or overlook the leg power either! Go with the rhythm, go forward, try a few stops, a bond will establish. All will go well under saddle if the horse is trained. You learn by doing, when you urge forward with a click of the tongue and the four beat gear first starts under you, what you feel is an eerie smoothness, when it is suddenly bumpy under you, there is lack of gait or a trot, due to a problem, find out why, shift your position, stop and try again, ask for help from another rider the ground, get to know your horse well, starting on the ground first. In an enclosed arena next. Try your skills at a trail ride next. The ring is the ultimate challenge.

Pasos can canter, of course, it is one of the questions most frequently asked, but it is best to keep it to a few controlled canters only, now and then, to keep intact the quality of the corto and largo rhythm otherwise. And, just as easily as they extend, Pasos can also collect and they can learn new tricks too! The sky is the limit once you trust your Paso and recognize the smooth feel of the gait, and learn how to keep the rhythm in a consistent manner.

To be brief, remember five words that will take you far when riding any Paso Fino horse, anywhere:

Patience
Relaxed attitude
Trust
Balance and practice
Safety
Enjoy your Paso rides! Pasos can ride with a smile!

[Moniece Dickerson]

The description sounds like trocha to me too.Sandra,please take it from me,you can pay that much for a horse then put more out in training and still not have a horse you enjoy riding.Please save up your money untill you feel like you have enough to put down or buy one then go to farm after farm after farm and try lots of them till you get on one and KNOW you've met your match.If I had the money that I spent on Chica,board and training for her never mind all the food,vet,and farrier money I could aford to buy a nice mare or gelding now that I would LOVE riding.

If you just can't wait and you can take some trips search the internet ads,find the good deals,and make trips to go see if the horse really does turn out to be a good deal.I'd hate to see you spen a bunch of money and be in the same position i'm in.Moniece

[ambulance_Driver]

Thanks for the input everybody! I've decided to wait, as frustrating as it is lol.
About me and what I'm looking for:
I'm 5'4, 170lbs. I ride in a light wieght synthetic saddle that I also use for jumping. I had no idea that a paso could jump lol but I'm more interested in hunter pace, endurance and trail. I would enjoy a bit of a challenge, something of average temperment. A horse that isn't a complete packer but not a complete nut case either. One that is responsive but not so sensitive that you have to ride on eggshells constantly thinking about your position either. I hope this helps a bit.

Sandra

[Minouri]

Wow, this thread is similar to Moniece's now that I read it. (Funny that the jiggle was mentioned here, too. It's GENIUS! lol)

I rode some Pasos in Middleboro MA when I first go Scooter that felt like they were flying.....no bounce at all. Scooter has never achieved that smoothness. But I will say that even on his choppiest day he is so much smoother than any nongaited horse I've ever ridden......I could still comfortably sit to his trott just with a little bounce. No pain anywhere..no jarring.

Do Pasos trot smoother than other breeds?

[CarolU]

I agree with Sheri. YOu are better off saving your money for a while and buying the RIGHT horse then buying the WRONG horse and spend the same amount of money in feed and training before you find out how wrong he truely is. This board is FULL of stories of people buying a bargain and spending the difference turning it into the horse they could have bought in the first place and been enjoying all along.

Go to Trudy's ride some of hers, you'll have a good point of comparison for friendly and smooth horses. Then save your money.

[JennLM]

We ran into the same thing. We went to buy this great pregnant Paso in Utah, waiting for my Andy to sell. Guess driving that way adn saying we wnted her and our circumstances was not enough, she was sold a day or two before I got mine sold so we missed out. My husband had his heart set on her. So being upset what happened? He went and bought 2 young Saddlebreds. What did we find out? Saddlebreds are NOT Pasos and not for us. So now they are getting sold and we are trying to find the right 2 Paso's for us. Not that I like it at all, I HATE waiting.

Sometimes waiting for the right one to come along is better then getting one you won't like or won't ride. Believe me, I am kicking myself for what we did.

Make sure you also like the horses personality. For us that is what hooked us on the breed. It comes first. I don't want to just get on and ride, I want to have a relationship with my horses and like them if I am on them or on the ground.

I got REALLY lucky buying Trinket. I never got to see her in person and ended up with the sweetest little girl (though not the color they said she was). I also have no clue if she will end up big enough for us. That was a mistake I had never thought about honestly since I was so used to bigger horses it never crossed my mind.

Good luck in your search, there are many people who are very willing to help you out. I know because I have some helping me out. = )

[CarolU]

The description sounds like trocha to me too.Sandra

It doesn't sound like trocha to me. Trocha is also a 4-beat gait and usually quite smooth - so smooth in fact many people ride for YEARS in trocha and never know they aren't in 'gait.' Many horses will trocha on long rides because it is a much easier gait to maintain.

It sounds to me like this horse was trotting or pacing, and either can be very rough.

[SandyMM]

There's a _reason_ people seek out certain bloodlines.... unusually personable attitude, reliable gait, and yes... these breeders know they have a 'product' that is high in demand... don't expect 'bargains' - do expect a fair price for the value...

[Donelle]

Ambulance Driver, look on this BB under Paso Chit Chat & the above heading---due to someone's ill health he has some quality paso's for sale for very reasonable prices. And no, I have nothing to gain from this---only the satisfaction of helping someone find their PasoSoulmate!

[Pasogirlz]

Ambulance Driver, look on this BB under Paso Chit Chat & the above heading---due to someone's ill health he has some quality paso's for sale for very reasonable prices. And no, I have nothing to gain from this---only the satisfaction of helping someone find their PasoSoulmate!

I think they were in TX if that helps. Carole Nelson posted it.

[Peruvian_Finos]

I breed Peruvians & I've ridden 12 different Finos--everything from the "backyard" type with no professional training to a well-bred, professionally trained, award-winning stallion....but I still perfer my Peruvians! Their gait is much smoother and has more forward action.

You mentioned your Peruvian wasn't friendly?? How is he bred?

[fireranger33]

After having experienced training just about all the popular gaited breeds using Parelli technics (except Icelandics), I will tell you Paso Finos are the easiest to ride (even though I prefer Walkers, It's a guy thing!).

They have the most "natural" gait compared to other gaited breeds. Sometimes the rider will make a difference in how smooth the horse can gait. You can go from "kind-of" smooth to "I cant believe how smooth" this horse is. However all of your prospect horses SHOULD be able to gait on their own with minimal rider assistance. I have seen Pasos who are so comfortable trotting that its not even worth to purchase and retrain, unless of course you are a trainer and you are getting a steal of a deal.

I disagree with our friend about being able to find a good economical Paso. There are two that I know of right now in Florida that she can probably buy for under $2000. These are unregistered Pasos, a little young but definitively good horses. You just have to "dig deep" to find them.

[CarolU]

The smoothest Paso I've ever riden was thrown in 'free' on a buy of another horse. I wouldn't sell this horse now for $5K. He goes from walk to running walk, to corto, largo, and canter and back down so smoothly you don't even notice. I've never seen him not gait other then the running walk and canter - and he gaits with no collection at all. He really is a dream horse.

I've ridden Pasos all over, some very smooth, some trotting and not so smooth. LOL

Go ride several, buy the smoothest.

[KAB]

Can you take a kinder bit over and ride him with it?Go back and ride him a few more times.If you never get the smooth ride,keep looking.Might just have to get used to each other.Also would help if you had someone that knows pasos go with you to check him out.................

[fireranger33]

You do have a very special horse indeed carolu if your Paso is able to do those gaits considering the trademark Paso gaits come basically from a "broken" trot, a diagonal gait and the running walk and such been a lateral gait from a "broken" pace. I have only seen very few horses do that!

[SarahR]

Um, not to be unpopular, but there are other gaited breeds that's aren't as ex*****ive. We have a gorgeous TWH that was less than $2000 and he gaits like a dream. I haven't ridden tons of gaited horses, but he is the best I've ridden. I ride a Paso Fino, but she is not as smooth and you sorta have to work it just right to get her to gait. The TWH, there's nothing to it, he just does it, and does it fast. And he didn't cost very much. I'm sure there are plenty of rough TWH's out there too, though.