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The Paso Fino horse is cherished for its beauty, intelligence, smooth
gait and stamina. They are also known for their “brio” which loosely
translated from the Spanish, means “vigor, strength, zeal, or
spirit.”
They are a forward moving breed of horse that love to work, love to
please, and they do so with energy and enthusiasm. These qualities are
what make them so enjoyable to own and to ride. People who have been
lucky enough to “discover” the breed will not part with them.
However, it is also these very traits that have created deep
misunderstanding, especially to those new to the breed.
As a Paso Fino horse trainer, I am concerned that I hear people all
too often say of their horses, “I love his gait, but he won’t walk.”
“It’s like a wrestling match out on the trail; I ask and ask him to walk
(or stop) and I pull harder and harder, but he won’t listen!” “All he
wants to do is gait!”
The next conversation that ensues is one which blames the particular
bloodlines of their Paso Fino as the reasons for their particular
problems. Sure, there are lines of Paso Finos that may have a
tendency to be “hotter” than others. That is to say, they exhibit more
brio, stronger gait and energy than others. But to say ALL horses from
such and such sire are one way or another is a stereotypical response.
Furthermore, it does little to educate or create an understanding
about how Paso Finos gait and the importance of proper training.
So, let’s get down to it. The Paso Fino is a rear engine driven horse.
Think of a boat with an outboard motor as it planes through the water.
As the boat gains speed, it raises up in front and the engine drives
from behind. When a Paso Fino is properly trained, they will have an
elevated, (somewhat collected,) head and front end and thus, more
drive from the hocks. The gait that is created is smooth, rhythmical
and balanced.
It is natural in the early stages of training that a horse might
become more excited when asked to gait. Why? Think about it. When you
elevate the head, you quite naturally create a heightened awareness in
your horse. When asked to elevate his head, you are also asking him at
the same time to adjust his eyesight to a more heightened acuity.
All horses by nature have both
monocular and binocular vision. The monocular form (monocular means
“one”) vision is a panoramic vision which allows a horse to view their
surroundings on both sides, with either the left or the right eye. It
offers a wide, |
circular view and is a big advantage
for them as a prey animal. When a horse is grazing, his vision is
directed at the ground in front of him and if he is relaxed, his
monocular vision will be at work. It makes sense, then, that you can
teach your horse a cue to relax by first, teaching him that a head down position is relaxing to
him. If this cue is taught patiently and consistently, it will become
a dependable response, one in which you may call upon at any time as a
means to de-escalate and lower his energy whether you are on the
ground or in the saddle. This is the “off button” and a cue that is
vitally important and one which we teach all of our horses.
Likewise, keep in mind that when you ask him to gait, and he raises
his head that you heighten his awareness by calling upon his more
acute, binocular vision. It is again, a natural response for him. When
a horse is in a pasture and he sees something that warrants
investigation, he will raise his head to bring the binocular vision
into force, allowing him to look down his nose and use both eyes for a
clearer view. Thus, using the "off button" will assist your horse to
relax when asked.
When I start our young horses under saddle, I teach all of them to
respond to an “off button”. It begins in the round pen and continues
throughout all training stages, from standing quietly while being
mounted to increasing his energy to gait. Spend a lot of time
praising the horse for his effort, petting him and letting him relax and
stand or walk on a loose rein after he has done well. Intersperse the
relaxation cue throughout your training time, especially after he has
given you the effort you have asked him for.
By becoming confident
with this technique, it will give you confidence that when your horse
becomes excited, you will have a tool to rely on. Be sure to also flex
your horse. A relaxation cue should not become an excuse for your
horse to become heavy or to take advantage and pull the reins from
you. Incorporating the “off button” teaches your horse that it is
wonderful to gait, and to experience the natural excitement about his
work, but when you ask, it is time to relax. Use it every time you
ride, whether you are on the trail, showing, or for any event you use your
Paso Fino. He will learn to relax and when he does, you will have a very
rewarding experience. Arm wrestling will be a thing of the past.
Submitted by
Westwind Ranch, Paso Fino Horses of Athol, Idaho. Cindy Oswald is the
writer in the family. She is an Amateur Owner and breeds, trains and
rides her own horses. Sarah Oswald is a professional trainer and
competitor. This article was submitted free of charge. However,
re-print or publication of this article is prohibited without prior
permission. |
