Paso llano
An evenly spaced four-beat gait. The hooves land left hind, left front, right hind, right front in a steady one-two-three-four rhythm.
Breed field guide / PeruButton Ranch field notes
The Peruvian Horse.
The Peruvian Horse, often called the Peruvian Paso, is a distinct breed from Peru with natural four-beat lateral gaits known collectively as pisos.
Its movement has a vocabulary of its own. Paso llano and sobreandando describe the timing under the horse, while termino and brio describe qualities riders can see and feel.
Button Ranch archive / Salem, UtahAt a glance
- Origin
- Peru
- Natural gaits
- Pisos
- Primary rhythms
- Paso llano and sobreandando
- North American registry
- NAPHA
The rhythm of the pisos.
The breed performs its specialty gaits naturally. NAPHA's rules recognize paso llano and sobreandando as qualifying gaits, each with a different cadence.
Sobreandando
A usually faster gait with a slightly more lateral timing than paso llano. The middle two beats sit closer together in the rhythm.
Termino
tehr-mee-no
The outward rolling motion of the front legs associated with the breed. NAPHA distinguishes termino from paddling.
Brio
bree-oh
Willing energy. NAPHA uses the term for a horse that is forward, responsive, and eager without equating that energy with being hot or high-strung.
02 / Where the breed comes from
16th century / Peru
Selected for travel across Peru.
NAPHA traces the breed to horses brought to Peru during the Spanish conquest. The association identifies Andalusian, North African Barb, and Spanish Jennet influences in that foundation.
Peruvian breeders selected horses for endurance and a smooth saddle gait. Geography limited outside crossing for long periods, which helped the breed develop a distinct type and way of moving.
Peru declared the Peruvian Paso its National Horse by decree in 1992. In North America, the breed is represented and registered by NAPHA.
Keep the record straight
Peruvian Horse and Paso Fino are different breeds.
The similar names cause plenty of confusion. The Peruvian Horse and the Paso Fino have different breed histories, standards, and characteristic movement. A record should name the actual breed, not use the terms interchangeably.
03 / Official North American organization
North American Peruvian Horse Association
NAPHA maintains the North American breed registry, registration rules, show standards, regional clubs, and programs for recreational riders and owners.
Visit the North American Peruvian Horse Association04 / Common questions
A few useful distinctions.
Is the Peruvian Horse's gait trained?
The pisos are natural to the breed. Training develops balance and consistency, but NAPHA states that artificial devices or special training aids are not required to create the gait.
Why is it sometimes called a Peruvian Paso?
Both names appear in North America. The national association uses Peruvian Horse, while Peruvian Paso remains a familiar historical name for the breed.
Is a Peruvian Horse the same as a Paso Fino?
No. They are separate breeds with different histories, standards, and movement. Similar names do not make the terms interchangeable.
Where can I verify a Peruvian Horse's registration?
NAPHA maintains the North American registry. Confirm registration and pedigree details with the association and the horse's current paperwork.
Current horses.
Breed information gives context. The individual record carries the details that matter for a specific horse.
Contact the ranch for images
AvailableButters$12,000
Butters is a beautiful peruvian paso mare aged 4 years. This horse is papered.
Sources and further reading