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Can Paso Finos
team pen? They sure can! In fact, I’ve seen Paso Finos do just about
everything any other breed of horse can do. From high school dressage
maneuvers (both in gait and at a trot); reining sliding stops and
spins; barrel racing, pole bending, and keyhole; to breakaway calf
roping and being the “heeler” in team roping, to hunter over fences
and foxhunting, this little power package of a horse is quite
versatile.
Gancho
Rojo cutting a steer
Other than
leisure trail riding and showing, my next favorite thing to do with my
Pasos is team penning and team sorting. Once the horse learns the
object to the “game”, they love it. It gives them a venue to express
their boldness by allowing them to be in control. They really like
telling those cows what to do.
This breed’s
natural quickness along with having a low center of gravity (a bonus
to not being 16 hands tall) gives them the upper hand when they need
to cut and dodge. Their sensitivity to the rider’s cues enables
quicker response times when it really counts. And their eager, fun
loving nature turns any kind of work into a joy.
Gancho
turning back to get
another
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Over the years
I’ve heard all kinds of comments about my “prissy little ponies” while
competing in this sport. I’ve heard that they can’t run, they can’t
cut, they’re too small, and that “funny way of walking” is a waste of
energy. I love proving them wrong. In fact most people are quite
astonished when I tell them that in the Paso Finos native countries
their main purposes were for transportation and ranch work.
Maria de Amigo
running down a steer
So,
if you’re looking for something “different” to do with your Pasos, or
to give them a mental break from the pressure of the show ring, or
just plain want to have fun, give this sport a try. You’re sure to
turn some heads, and give your friends something to chuckle about…a
Paso Fino can team pen!
Maria de Amigo is
agile and quick!
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