At Hacienda Santa Maria Farm, it’s our mission to share the joy of Paso Fino horse riding with the Canadian equestrian community. A lifelong admirer of the Paso Fino, owner Dr. Oscar Dalmao brought his passion for the “smoothest riding horse in the world” from Colombia to Canada, hoping to spread awareness of this magnificent breed. For this reason, we are grateful for the opportunity to host Paso Fino-themed events, such as our recent Canada Day Celebration at our horse farm in Erin, Ontario.
On behalf of Dr. Dalmao and our team, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended this year’s Canada Day Celebration. Your participation ensured the event was a resounding success and helped us bring the delight of riding Paso Fino horses to local families, horse enthusiasts, and professional equestrians alike.
If you attended our event and would like to know more about Paso Fino horses and the many services we provide, check out the information below:
Services
Hacienda Santa Maria farm is dedicated to promoting and preserving the Paso Fino horse breed. To that end, we have hired expert trainers from Colombia to train our gaited horses using traditional methods, and we breed our prize-winning Paso Finos with pride and intention. We select breeding stock that preserves the best natural characteristics of the Paso Fino, including the ability to perform the “Classic Fino” gait (along with the Paso Corto and Paso Largo), excellent conformation, and aesthetic traits true to the breed’s Latin heritage. It is our priority to preserve the purity of the Paso Fino bloodline while carefully refining this breed’s best qualities.
Our thoughtful approach and attention to detail helped our show horses, El Manto de Santa Maria and Uruguaya de Santa Maria, earn championship prizes at multiple international competitions, becoming the highest-ranking Canadian Paso Fino horses.
If you wish to own or breed Paso Fino horses in Canada, we can help you get started. Our prize-winning stallions are available for stud, and many of the beautiful Paso Fino horses on our farm are for sale, presenting exciting opportunities for further establishing this breed in Canada. We also offer riding lessons and can provide training and guidance for equine events specific to Paso Fino horses, in addition to hosting unique events at our farm.
Horse Sales and Breeding:
Dr. Dalmao is highly selective in the Paso Fino horses he imports. All Hacienda Santa Maria Paso Finos originate from pure bloodlines, with many having ancestors that include Champion Paso Finos. Documentation detailing each horse’s bloodline and history is available on request.
To ensure you receive the right horse for your situation, it is crucial to thoughtfully consider what you want in a Paso Fino horse. A Paso Fino ideally suited to trail and endurance riding, for example, will have different traits than a Paso Fino bred and trained for the show ring. For best results, think carefully about what qualities you desire in a horse and do preliminary research into the Paso Fino breed before beginning the purchasing journey. From there, our experts can help you find the perfect horse, whether you’re looking for a friendly family companion, a stunning show horse, or a superb equine athlete.
If you are interested in purchasing one of our horses, please contact us for more details.
Riding Lessons:
If you are new to horseback riding, it is essential to start with a horse breed that is gentle, responsive, and easy to handle. Paso Fino horses, which are famous for their natural agility and willingness to please, make ideal mounts for novice riders. These horses are friendly, gentle, patient, and highly responsive to cues, so they instill confidence in even the most nervous riders. Likewise, the inherent smoothness of the Paso Fino’s gait ensures a comfortable riding experience, allowing novice riders to relax and focus on their technique.
With a Paso Fino, beginners can feel secure and enjoy the thrill of riding without worrying about managing a spirited or unpredictable mount. As relatively small horses (ranging from 13 – 15.2 hands high), many Paso Finos are also well-suited to children and younger riders.
Horseback riding has many physical and mental health benefits: This sport builds confidence and self-esteem, provides a positive human-animal bonding experience, and encourages the formation of a strong, supportive social network among riders. Physically, horseback riding builds core strength and improves coordination, balance, and cardiovascular function.
If you would like to discover the joy of horseback riding or participate in equine events, sign up for riding lessons at Hacienda Santa Maria today. We offer lessons tailored to all skill levels, from beginner to advanced, with both indoor and outdoor amenities.
Horse-Related Events:
With the support of the local community, Hacienda Santa Maria organizes multiple equestrian events throughout the year. Emphasizing education about the Paso Fino horse, our farm hosts horse fairs, holiday celebrations, trail rides, and much more – making Hacienda Santa Maria the perfect place to connect with other gaited horse enthusiasts.
To keep in touch with us and learn about upcoming events, follow Hacienda Santa Maria on Facebook and Instagram, or subscribe to our YouTube channel. You can also contact us directly for information about Paso Fino Horses or become a member of our partner organization, the Canadian Paso Fino Horse Society. CPFHS members receive a discount on riding lessons, stud services, and Paso Fino horses for sale, in addition to other benefits.
We look forward to connecting with you and helping you discover the magic of the world’s smoothest-riding gaited horse!