The Smoothest Ride ... Tips, Articles, and Stories For The Paso Fino Horse Enthusiast
Purchasing
Tips ... So You Want A Paso Fino!
By Lynn Gallup, www.smoothride4u.com
Congratulations for choosing the wonderful
Paso Fino breed. Know that it's best to be a satisfied and an educated
buyer when you're looking for that special equine companion. Some helpful
purchasing tips are:
Goals. First make a list of all the traits you are looking for in a Paso Fino in the order of importance to you.
Breed Phenotype and Gait. Learn about the Paso Fino type and its various gaits: fino, corto, and largo.
Way of Going. Study the different styles or way of going of Paso Fino's gaits.
Classic Fino -- low shuffling movement vs. more upward dancing execution
Performance -- classic/contemporary vs. old-style
Pleasure -- show vs. country
On either side of the true Paso Fino gait is the trocha (diagonal) and pace (lateral).It can be helpful to study videos from shows and farms. Remember, a Paso Fino is a gaited breed, but that some Paso Finos have a more natural even four beat gait than others.
Disposition. A horse that is beautiful with great bloodlines that is unwilling and nervous will probably be less than satisfying to own in the long run unless you're simply looking for an expensive pasture ornament or have experience with handling that type of disposition.
Soundness. Be sure the horse is healthy and functionally sound for its desired purpose.
Price. Consider what your needs and goals are for your desired Paso Fino, and what price you can expect to spend to help get a compatible match and a good market value looking back over your original list of desired traits for your Paso Fino. If you're looking to spend only a certain amount, realize what that amount will buy and will you be satisfied? You may wish to widen your price range to acquire your desired horse, or see if the seller is negotiable on price.
Other Factors. What factors dictate prices of Paso Finos? Age, sex, bloodlines, show and breeding potential, gait style, training level, size, disposition, color, and market availability; region of the country should be considered. You will have shipping costs in addition to purchase price.
Expert
Consultation. When purchasing a horse, it also makes
good sense to deal with a reputable, experienced breeder or seller who
will be in business tomorrow if you have a question, whether it be from
a large or small farm. Do they guarantee gait and health? If you aren't
sure about your decision, bring along someone more knowledgeable, and
seek out
impartial opinions. It is wise to see a copy of the horse's registration
paper to see who the actual recorded owner is. Is it the person trying
to sell you the horse, or is it a trainer, farm manager, or a sales agent
who may be collecting a commission? This will give you an idea of how
well and how long the person actually knows the horse and its health,
behavior, and training history. You might want to consult with someone
with more experience to evaluate a video of the horse for you.
Lynn Gallup was introduced to the Paso Fino breed in 1975, while owning a Half-Arabian at the time. She began actively showing them in the Atlantic and Piedmont regional Paso Fino shows in the mid-70’s. She owns Gracewood Farm Paso Finos in New Hill, North Carolina, home to about 17 Paso Fino horses, where she continues to train/breed her own Paso Fino horses. Lynn is a multi-gaited horse breed show judge: Paso Finos, Rocky Mountains, and Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horses, and a Registered "R" Judge with USEF. The “Tips” are learned from hands on experience and attending clinics over the years involved with horses. Lynn’s website “The Smoothest Ride” went online in 1997, and offers helpful and informative tips, articles, and stories for the Paso Fino horse enthusiast. New URL: www.smoothride4u.com.