Paso Fino stud visit
I have always been curious about Paso Finos, they fit into that ‘Iberian-derived breed’ that is always fascinating 
, they are pretty and then there is the whole gaited thing-something of a mystery to most British riding types!
I am not backward in coming forward and so emailed the Rancho Pavo Real stud in Suffolk to see if I could visit. Like other genuine and enthusiastic horse people I’ve met this way, they were really hospitable and friendly and keen to show off their lovely horses. They even answered my occasionally dumb questions and generously spent several hours explaining the gaits, conformation, types & history of the breed. Many thanks to Yvonne and Rachel for a lovely morning-I hope to see you again and have put the Paso Fino show in my diary for next year!
The Pasos are ridden with bosals (steering and stopping) and curbs (collection). The curb seen above looks impressively long but the backward angled shanks leave it with probably less leverage than your average pelham.
There are 3 fino gaits; the classic fino which is mega fast movement of the legs without much forward movement, the paso corto which is more of the speed of a working trot and the paso largo which is the speed of a canter. Very kindly I was offered the ride on Magnolia. I hadnt gone intending to ride and after some pathetic bleating about not having my hat with me, a suitable hat was found (not many have as big a head as me Rachel, must be our brains ). Kindly, probably sensing my terror, Rachel started me off on the lunge. Magnolia was a delight. Its really hard when you arent used to the movement to know how fast you arent going-although I felt like I was racing around the arena, I was informed I was hardly moving 
. Off of the lunge I got more of a feel for her extraordinary sensitivity. I cant say I was really riding but the mare generously let me be a passenger and I think I smiled for much of the time I was on her! They really are supremely comfortable and each one we met seemed to be a lovely person. I was particularly taken by Oscuro and even more so now I have seen him move in the video!
If you’d like to find out more about these lovely wee horses, please visit
anyway, a few pics.The first shows the bosal and curb. Luckily Rachel took away the bosal reins for me when I whimpered about 2 reins. Such a pretty mare, they all had beautiful heads.