Editing Peruvian Paso (section)

===Gait===

Instead of a [[trot (horse gait)|trot]], the Peruvian performs an [[ambling]] four beat [[horse gait|gait]] between the walk and the trot. There are two official gaits, called the "Paso Llano" or "even step", and the "sobreandando" which is a bit closer in timing to the pace. Both gaits can be performed at a variety of speeds. The fast sobreandando is often the speed of a canter. Both acceptable gaits are lateral, having four beats and is performed in a lateral sequence — left hind, left fore, right hind, right fore. The Peruvian Horse can also canter, will trot and pace at liberty, and do a natural relaxed walk.

The Peruvian performs two variations of the four-beat gait. The first, the ''paso llano'', is [[wikt:isochronous|isochronous]], meaning that there are four equal beats in a 1-2-3-4 rhythm.  This is the preferred gait. The second gait, the ''sobreandando'', is often faster. Instead of four equal beats, the lateral beats are closer together in a 1–2, 3-4 rhythm, with the pause between the forefoot of one side to the rear of the other side is longer.<ref name="IMH"/>
[[File:MANTEQUILLA and ROY MASON 236x272.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A Peruvian Horse in motion]]

This characteristic gait was utilized for the purpose of covering long distances over a short period of time without tiring the horse or rider.  The gait is natural and does not require extensive training.  Purebred Peruvian foals can be seen gaiting alongside their dams within a few hours of their birth.

The gait supplies essentially none of the vertical bounce that is characteristic of the trot, and hence posting (moving up and down with each of the horse's footfalls) is unnecessary. It is also very stable, as the execution of the gait means there are always two, and sometimes three, feet on the ground.<ref>[http://www.ancpcpp.org.pe/animacion/index.htm Example of Peruvian Horse's execution of the gait]</ref> Because the rider feels no strain or jolt, [[gaited horse]]s such as the Peruvian are often popular with riders who have back trouble.

====Termino====
A unique trait of the Peruvian gait is ''termino'' &mdash; an outward swinging leg action, originating from the shoulder, in which the front lower legs roll to the outside during the stride forward, similar to a swimmer's arms.<ref name="IMH"/> Individual horses may have more or less ''termino''. High lift or wide termino is not necessarily a sign of a well gaited horse; in fact it may be detrimental to a good gait.{{Citation needed|date=July 2008}}