Editing Peruvian Paso

{{Short description|Breed of horse}}
{{Infobox horse
|name= Peruvian Horse
|status =
|image=Peruvian Paso3.jpg
|image_caption= A Peruvian Horse
|altname= Peruvian
|country= [[Peru]]
|group1= North American Peruvian Horse Association 
|std1= http://www.napha.net
|features = Gaited, Spanish conformation 
}}

The '''Peruvian Horse''' is a [[list of horse breeds|breed]] of light saddle horse known for its smooth ride.  It is distinguished by a natural, four-beat, lateral [[horse gait|gait]] called the ''paso llano.'' This breed is protected by the Peruvian government through Decree number 25919 of Peru enacted on November 28, 1992, and has been declared a [[Cultural heritage of Peru|Cultural Heritage of the Nation]] by the National Institute of Culture (INC).<ref>{{cite web|url =http://intranet.mcultura.gob.pe/intranet/dpcn/anexos/80_1.pdf|title =Peruvian Paso Horse - Cultural Heritage of the Nation - INC|access-date =27 April 2012|url-status =dead|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20130928113446/http://intranet.mcultura.gob.pe/intranet/dpcn/anexos/80_1.pdf|archive-date =28 September 2013}}</ref> Due to the isolation suffered for about 400 years and the selection made by their [[Horse breeding|breeders]], this breed is very particular in their body proportions and an ambling gait or "paso llano" that is characteristic. It is typical of the northern Peruvian regions of the country from which it originated. [[Trujillo, Peru|Trujillo]] city is considered the cradle of typical Peruvian Horses.<ref name=MA>{{cite book |last=Ministerio del Ambiente |title=Ministry of Environment, Tourist Climate Guide - Perú -Senamhi, editorial=Q&P Impresiones S.R.L. Lince-Lima |type=Trujillo |volume=p. 115 |year= 2008|publisher=Q&P Impresiones S.R.L.|location=Av. Ignacio Merino N° 1546 Lince-Lima}}</ref>

==History==

Smooth-gaited horses, generally known as [[Palfrey]]s, existed in the [[Middle Ages]], and the [[Jennet]] in particular was noted for its [[ambling]] gaits.<ref>Bennett, Deb. (1998). ''Conquerors: The Roots of New World Horsemanship,'' First Edition, Amigo Publications. {{ISBN|0-9658533-0-6}}</ref> Peruvians trace their [[foundation bloodstock|ancestry]] to these ambling Jennets; as well as to the [[Barb (horse)|Barb]], which contributed strength and stamina; and to the [[Andalusian horse|Andalusian]] which added style, conformation and action.<ref name="IMH">[http://www.imh.org/museum/breeds.php?pageid=8&breed=73&alpha=Four "Peruvian Paso."  ''Horse Breeds of the World,'' International Museum of the Horse.] Accessed July 4, 2008</ref><ref>Albright, Verne. [http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/peruvianpaso/index.htm "Peruvian Paso"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611104701/http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/peruvianpaso/index.htm |date=2008-06-11 }}. Oklahoma State University.  Accessed July 03, 2008.</ref>

Horses arrived in [[South America]] during the [[Spanish Conquest]], beginning with the arrival of [[Francisco Pizarro|Pizarro]] in 1531. [[Foundation bloodstock]] came from Spain, Jamaica, Panama and other areas of Central America.<ref>{{cite book|author=Hendricks, Bonnie L. and Anthony Dent|title=International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds|page=340}}</ref> Importations increased after 1542, when the Spanish created the Viceroyalty of New Castilla.  This later became the [[Viceroyalty of Peru]], an important center of Spain's [[New World]] viceroyalties in the eighteenth century.
[[Image:Peruvian Paso.jpg|thumb|right|275px|A Peruvian Horse in traditional tack]]

Once in [[Peru]], they were used primarily for transportation and [[horse breeding|breeding]] stock. In the north of Peru, the vast size of sugar and cotton [[plantation]]s meant that overseers needed to travel long distances, often taking days to cross the plantation. In the south of Peru, the arid deserts that separated settlements required sturdy, strong horses.  In both cases, smooth-gaited horses with good endurance were required.  On the other hand, Peru did not develop a livestock-based economy, and thus did not need to breed for the speed or agility characteristic of [[stock horse]]s.

Over time, Peruvian breeders kept the bloodlines clean and selectively bred primarily for [[horse gait|gait]], [[equine conformation|conformation]], and temperament. They wanted strong, hardy animals that were comfortable to ride and easy to control. Over four centuries, their dedication to breeding only the best gaited bloodstock resulted in the modern Peruvian Horse.

A decline in the use of Peruvians was seen in the southern part of Peru in the early 1900s, following the building of major highways that allowed motor travel to replace the use of the horse. Many of the major breeders in the area gave their best horses away to peasants living in the nearby ''quebradas'' (valleys). It was in one of these quebradas that breeder Gustavo de la Borda found the horse that was to become the most important modern sire in the breed, Sol de Oro (Viejo).<ref>[http://www.peruvian-pasos.com/horses.html Sol De Oro]</ref>

The Peruvian Horse continued to flourish in the northern regions because it was still needed for transportation on the [[hacienda]]s. This changed with the harsh Agrarian Reforms instituted by the government of [[Juan Velasco Alvarado]] in the late 1960s that had a devastating effect on the Peruvian Horse within Peru. Major breeding operations were broken up and breeding stock was lost. Because interest in the Peruvian Horse was growing in the United States and Central America at the same time, many of the finest Peruvians  were exported, leading to a period where it appeared the Peruvian Horse would fade in its homeland.

Don [[Pedro Venturo Zapata]] was a major breeder of the Peruvians in his "[[Hacienda Higuereta|Hacienda Higuereta y Anexos - Negociacion Vinicola Pedro Venturo S.A.]]" from 1925 to 1952.

The last quarter of the 20th century saw a resurgence in the Peruvian Horse's fortune in Peru. The annual National Show in Lima is a major event in Peruvian cultural life. The Peruvian has been declared a ''Patrimonio Cultural'' (Cultural Heritage) of Peru in an attempt to shore up the breed within the country. There are now laws in place that restrict the export of national champion horses.

Peruvian Horses are noted internationally for their good temperament and comfortable ride.  As of 2003, there are approximately 25,000 horses worldwide, used for [[pleasure riding]], [[trail riding|trail]], [[horse show]]s, [[parade horse|parades]], and [[endurance riding]].<!--added from different section, fits better to keep all info about chronology together-->

==Characteristics==
[[File:Lima Peruvian Paso 0083.jpg|thumb|left|upright|280px|The gaits of the Peruvian Horse are natural, as shown by this foal]]

===Appearance===
The horse is medium-sized, usually standing between {{hands|14.1|to|15.2}} tall, with an elegant yet powerful build.<ref name="IMH"/>  The Peruvian horse has a deep chest, heavy neck and body with substance without any trace of being hound gutted in the flank area.   A low set, quiet tail, clamped tightly between the buttocks is a vital quality.  [[Stallion]]s have a  broader chest and larger neck than [[mare (horse)|mares]],{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}} and are known for their quality temperament.<!--no need to add extra verbiage, but statement needs to match ref (photo in ref doesn't note temperament, hence clause not related is placed after comma--> The [[equine coat color|coat color]] can be varied; and is seen in [[chestnut (coat)|chestnut]], [[black (horse)|black]], [[bay (horse)|bay]], [[bay (horse)|brown]], [[buckskin (horse)|buckskin]], [[palomino]], [[gray (horse)|gray]], [[roan (horse)|roan]] or [[dun gene|dun]]. Solid colors, grays and dark skin are considered the most desirable. The [[mane (horse)|mane]] and forelock are lustrous, fine and abundant.  [[Horse markings|White markings]] are acceptable on the legs and face.<ref name="IMH"/>

===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}}

===Brío===
Brío refers to a horse's vigor, energy, exuberance, courage and liveliness; it automatically implies that these qualities are willingly placed in the service of the rider.  Horses with true brio are willing workers. Their attention does not wander but is focused on the handler or rider, and thus they are quick to react and fast to learn. Horses with brio attract attention, and combined with the stamina of the breed have reserves they  can tap to travel long distances for many hours.<ref name="IMH"/>

Breeders and judges look for Brío, often translated as "spirit," but this does not capture the complexity of the term. ''Brío'' describes a somewhat contradictory temperament, which combines arrogance, spirit, and the sense of always being on parade, with a willingness to please the rider. Brío is an intangible quality of controlled energy that creates a [[metamorphosis]] in ordinary-looking horses and is an important trait of Peruvians.
[[File:Lima Caballos de Paso 0071.jpg|thumb|left|275px|Peruvians showing their gait]]

==Peruvian Horse shows==
In the United States, competitions are organized by the North American Peruvian Horse Association and by their clubs. in Peru, the two best-known and most important events are The National Horse Competition Caballo de Paso Peruano held in Pachacamac and at the [[Trujillo Spring Festival|Internacional de la Primavera]] during the months of September and October in [[Trujillo, Peru|Trujillo]] city<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.trujillodelperu.com/caballos.html|title = Caballos de Paso-Festival de la Primavera |access-date =29 March 2012}}</ref> and during the international [[Trujillo Marinera Festival|Marinera Festival]] in January.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://noticiasnorte.com/2011/01/majestuso-concurso-de-caballos-de-paso-por-la-marinera-en-trujillo/|title = Caballos de Paso-Festival de la Marinera|access-date = 29 March 2012}}{{Dead link|date=May 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The Marinera is also a dance, typically between a man and a woman and specialized forms of the Marinera involves dancing alongside the Peruvian Paso horse.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Dancing from the Heart: The Marinera |url=link.gale.com/apps/doc/A695228801/CSIC?u=new64731&sid=summon&xid=9a3724e4. |journal=Gale In Context: College |volume=31 |issue=9 |issn=0749-1387 |via=Cricket Media}}</ref> Peru's National Institute of Culture has declared that the horses are part of Peru's national cultural heritage.<ref>{{cite web|url =http://intranet.mcultura.gob.pe/intranet/dpcn/anexos/80_1.pdf|title =Caballo de Paso Peruano - Patrimonio Cultural de la Nación - INC|access-date =29 March 2012|url-status =dead|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20130928113446/http://intranet.mcultura.gob.pe/intranet/dpcn/anexos/80_1.pdf|archive-date =28 September 2013}}</ref>

==Name==
Because of the shared word '''''Paso''''', a close relationship between the Peruvian and the [[Paso Fino]] breed is incorrectly assumed. "Paso" simply means "step," in Spanish, and does not imply a common breed or origin. Although the two breeds share ancestors in the Old World, and have some similarities, they were developed independently for different purposes.<ref name="IMH"/>  The two breeds are different and easily distinguishable. The Peruvian is somewhat larger, deeper in the body and wider. The Paso Fino is not bred for "termino" in its stride.

The Peruvian has been called the "national horse" of Peru. On the other hand, the Paso Fino was developed from horses throughout northern Latin America and the Caribbean, with major centers of development in Colombia and Puerto Rico. The Peruvian is also increasingly referred to in North America as the "Peruvian Horse" to distinguish its breed apart from other breeds.

==See also==
*[[Association of Breeders and Owners of Paso Horses in La Libertad]]
*[[Competition of Paso Horses in Trujillo]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
<!-- per Wikipedia guidelines, PLEASE do not add sales sites, chat forums, bulletin boards, and link farms-->
'''Registries and related Organizations'''

*North American Peruvian Horse Association - http://www.napha.net
*National Association of Breeders and Owners of Peruvian Paso Horses (Peru-Spanish language) http://www.ancpcpp.org.pe/
*Peruvian Horse Association of Canada (Canada) http://www.phac.ca/

'''Educational Materials'''
*History of the Peruvian Paso Horse - https://web.archive.org/web/20130902151839/http://www.therapyhorsesandhealing.com/history.html
*Riding the Peruvian Horse (Equitation Guide) - https://web.archive.org/web/20100411063431/http://www.perolchico.com/english/ridingperuvianpaso.html
*Proper Peruvian Show Ring Equitation - https://web.archive.org/web/20130826100333/http://www.friendsoftheperuvianhorse.com/equitation/proper_peruvian.htm

'''Publications'''
*Made in Peru (magazine) - http://www.madeinperumagazine.net

[[Category:Horse breeds]]
[[Category:Horse breeds originating in Peru]]