There’s a fun and enthusiastic group of Peruvian horse owners here in Colorado. Many of us belong to the Centennial State Peruvian Horse Club, which is our local off-shoot of our national organizaton, the North American Peruvian Horse Association.
No, we’re not talking about paso finos here — that’s a completely separate breed of horse. Paso finos are a Spanish breed and laterally gaited like Peruvians, but there are distinct differences. Peruvians generally have fuller bodies and distinct front action called termino that kind of mimics a swimming motion. Ideally, they have smooth, ground-covering steps that reach well from behind. Check out this video: You can see the rider barely moves as the horse travels.
Peruvians are descended from the mounts of Spanish conquerors. For more than 400 years, this animal was selectively bred for gait and temperament. The breed is considered a national treasure in Peru; it wasn’t until the 1960s that they were finally exported to the United States.
Today there are about 20,000 Peruvians in the United States. Thanks to their smooth gait, they’re popular with riders who suffer chronic pain or conditions like arthritis. I’ve seen more than one person go from wheelchair to the saddle to the show arena. They’re excellent trail horses, too.
Here in Colorado, we love our trails. But we also host a few shows and other fun events. We’ll find just about any excuse to get together and talk about our horses, and we welcome your questions and comments.
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