Tips for Training and Riding Paso Fino Horses

With their gentle, willing temperament and naturally smooth gait, training and riding paso finos is quite the pleasure. Most Paso Fino horses readily respond to cues, making them an excellent choice for novice riders. Still, proper training techniques are crucial to bringing out the best qualities in any breed of horse, including the Paso Fino. By understanding the unique traits of this breed, riders can enhance the Paso Fino’s fine step, refine their horse’s performance in various disciplines, and build a close bond based on mutual trust and respect.  

In the following guide, we’ll explore both general horse training principles and strategies specific to the Paso Fino breed, so you can build a successful partnership with your horse:

General Horse Training Principles 

All good horse training begins with establishing a positive relationship and basic commands. Early training exercises should be simple and aimed at promoting respect and responsiveness, setting the stage for effective communication between horse and rider. 

General horse training principles include: 

Positive Reinforcement 

Positive reinforcement is the process of using rewards rather than punishment to guide your horse’s behaviour. To use positive reinforcement, you must first identify what your horse finds rewarding, such as treats, scratches, or verbal praise. Begin by teaching simple tasks or behaviours that are easy for the horse to understand and gradually build up to more complex behaviours. Deliver the reinforcement immediately after the desired behaviour to make a clear connection between the action and the reward. Avoid using negative correction methods, as these can damage your horse’s trust, making them less focussed and responsive.

In some cases, using a training aid, such as a clicker, can help the horse better connect specific actions with the reward. A clicker emits a sound to mark the desired behaviour; if this sound is immediately followed by a reward from the trainer, the horse will understand exactly what they are being encouraged to do. Clickers are effective because the sound they make can be readily differentiated from common background noises, ensuring the clicker gets the horse’s attention.

Patience & Consistency  

Even with the best techniques, training a horse correctly takes several years. It’s crucial to remain calm and consistent throughout the process and to give you and your horse time to learn and grow together. Be patient in your approach and provide clear expectations to help your horse learn faster: Use the same cues, commands, and rewards repeatedly, and avoid unexpected changes to your horse’s routine. Spend time with your horse regularly to learn how they communicate and foster trust and familiarity.

Remember, every horse is unique, so it’s essential to observe your horse’s responses and adjust your training methods accordingly (with help from a professional if needed). Positive reinforcement can help strengthen the bond between you and your horse while promoting an enjoyable learning experience, but only if your horse understands what is being asked of them.

Tips for Training Paso Fino Horses

Though the methods used to train Paso Finos are similar to those used for other horse breeds, specific techniques are often applied to enhance their natural gait and versatility. At Hacienda Santa Maria, we employ specialized Paso Fino horse trainers from Colombia to ensure all of our Paso Finos represent the best this breed has to offer. To train your Paso Fino, contact us for professional training services, or try using the strategies outlined below:

Gait Refinement

Early training exercises typically include being haltered, led, and taught to stand still. Then, the horse must learn to yield to pressure, flex their neck (so they will know how to respond to reins), soften, and walk on a lead line in a circle. Once these steps are complete, you can begin refining your Paso Fino’s natural four-beat gait with lunging exercises, ground-driving, and in-hand work to help them develop balance and coordination. 

Balance and Collection

One of the most important aspects of training a Paso Fino horse is improving balance and collection. Doing so ensures riders benefit fully from the horse’s smooth, rhythmic lateral gait while also contributing to the Paso Fino’s famous elegance while in motion. 

Lunging exercises are a great way to help your horse practice transitioning between paces at specific intervals, improving their ability to activate their hind legs while maintaining proper carriage. Once your horse is comfortable lunging, try lunging them outdoors (or on hills) to improve their agility and responsiveness. You can also lunge them in a series of spiralling circles (that vary from 5 – 30 metres in size, depending on your horse’s level of ability) to encourage them to practice different gaits.

Flexion is another valuable exercise for improving the comfort and quality of your Paso Fino horse’s ride. Flexion involves teaching the horse to bend its neck in response to pressure from the rider’s reins. This exercise helps improve the horse’s flexibility, balance, and responsiveness to cues.

To flex a horse properly, use gentle and consistent pressure on the reins to encourage the horse to yield its neck in one direction. Release pressure as soon as the horse yields to the command and offer a reward.

When your horse is fully desensitized to the saddle, you can improve their gait and collection with tailored exercises specifically intended for Paso Fino horses. Riding your Paso Fino horse in circles, serpentines, figure-eights, and reverses, for instance, can encourage your horse to work off its hindquarters and utilize its natural lateral gait more effectively. 

Head lifters can also be used to help your horse learn to shift its balance toward the rear and tuck its nose. Head lifters are special devices with their own set of reins which attach under the horse’s chin. For best results, take early training sessions slow and give yourself ample time to master the use of two sets of reins. 

To enhance your communication and control over your horse, you can also try leg-yielding and shoulder-in exercises. Introduce the concept of leg-yielding gradually, starting with simple exercises such as moving the hindquarters or shoulders off the leg, working from the centre line of the arena. Focus on using subtle cues and rewarding small efforts from your horse to encourage them to understand what you are asking for. Consistent practice, positive reinforcement, and clear signalling will help you teach your horse to leg-yield effectively. As your horse becomes more confident, you can introduce steeper leg yields.

Shoulder-in is a lateral movement, often used in dressage tests, where the horse’s shoulders are slightly positioned to the inside while maintaining forward motion. This exercise helps improve balance, suppleness, proper alignment, and engagement of the horse’s hindquarters, allowing them to change direction in a more organized manner. It involves the horse moving forward in a straight line while bending slightly around your inside leg, with their inside shoulder leading the way.

Varying Horse Training Approaches 

Paso Finos are highly intelligent and curious, so they benefit from variety. Incorporate diverse training approaches to keep your horse engaged and mentally stimulated while leveraging their natural versatility. Train your Paso Fino horse indoors and outdoors and don’t be afraid to experiment with different disciplines, such as dressage training, trail riding, and stamina and endurance training. In addition to keeping your horse interested in training, using diverse approaches reduces the risk of repetitive strain injuries in both horse and rider.

Techniques for Riding Paso Finos

To train and ride a Paso Fino horse correctly, you’ll need to develop a feel for the horse’s smooth, lateral style of action and learn to distinguish between its three primary gaits. Transition exercises can be particularly helpful for identifying these different gaits, especially if you aren’t used to riding naturally gaited horses. 

The three main gaits of the Paso Fino horse are: 

1. Paso Fino: This is the signature gait of the breed, known for its smoothness and precision. The Classic Paso Fino gait is a four-beat lateral gait, where each foot strikes the ground independently, rapidly and rhythmically. You will know your horse is performing the Classic Paso Fino if its feet are moving in quick, precise succession with minimal forward motion.

Note that while all Paso Fino horses have a natural four-beat gait, the Classic Fino is a highly specialized step more commonly found in show-quality Paso Fino horses. If your horse cannot perform the Classic Fino, don’t try to force it; consult a professional trainer for advice on your specific situation. 

2. Paso Corto: The Paso Corto is a slightly faster gait than the Paso Fino, with a moderate speed similar to a trot (unlike a trot, however, it does not create vertical motion or “bounce” in the saddle). It is a four-beat lateral gait where the horse covers more ground per stride than the Classic Paso Fino gait. Paso Finos naturally perform this gait instead of a trot, which gives them their signature comfortable ride.

3. Paso Largo: The Paso Largo is the fastest gait of the Paso Fino horse, characterized by an extended and ground-covering stride. It is a four-beat lateral gait that allows the horse to move swiftly while maintaining smoothness and control. This gait can approach the speed of a canter, but unlike a canter, it demonstrates harmonious flexion and extension for a balanced ride.

To get the best out of your Paso Fino horse, maintain a relaxed yet engaged seat and use minimal leg cues for smooth transitions (seat and leg aids can be helpful in this process). Communicate with subtle cues and remember to maintain a light rein contact. Paso Fino horses are highly sensitive, so using a soft touch on the rein is crucial to developing a positive relationship with your horse. Excessive rein pressure can muddle signals and confuse the horse, damaging trust, whereas soft rein contact helps them feel more comfortable, relaxed, and willing to work with the rider. Soft rein contact also allows for quick and precise cues, making it easier to guide and control the horse effectively, and encourages collection. 

Rider body language also plays a crucial role in communicating effectively with a Paso Fino horse. By using proper body positioning, posture, and cues, you can convey clear and precise messages to your horse and build a close connection with them. Try to maintain correct balance and alignment in the saddle and communicate subtly through your seat, legs, and hands (using weight shifts, leg pressure, and hand placement). Pay close attention to your horse’s movements and responses, and adjust your cues as necessary. 

Remember to continue using positive reinforcement to reward desired behaviours as you progress from training to regular riding. Give your horse praise or a soft pat to let them know when they have responded appropriately to light cues. Over time, this process will gradually make your horse more willing and responsive. 

Trail Riding Considerations 

When riding Paso Fino on the trail, keep the horse’s heritage in mind and trust them to navigate varied terrain (provided that no significant risks are present). Build your horse’s confidence by gradually exposing them to different trail conditions, then introduce obstacles to encourage them to use their natural judgment and abilities. Reward your horse whenever they successfully manage a new environment or overcome a challenge.

When trail riding in a group, riders should be mindful of maintaining proper control and spacing. Paso Fino horses are very friendly and social; while this quality is an asset in most settings, it can make them more likely to “crowd” other horses. Teach your Paso Fino horse to practice good trail etiquette by yielding to other riders, hikers, or bikers, and make sure you follow any local trail rules or regulations. You should also carry a first aid kit, cell phone, and any necessary supplies for you and your horse in case of emergencies.

General Horsemanship Practices with Paso Finos

Horsemanship requires lifelong learning – for both horse and rider. To strengthen your bond with your Paso Fino horse and continue enhancing its best attributes, perform routine training exercises regularly, even after your horse is fully saddle-broken. Likewise, don’t forget the importance of regular health checks; while Paso Fino horses are hardy, they still need regular veterinary exams, dental care, hoof maintenance, and vaccinations.

To stay up-to-date with the latest care practices for Paso Finos and receive breed-specific advice, we recommend joining a registered community organization, such as the Canadian Paso Fino Horse Society. In addition to providing ongoing education about Paso Fino horses, the CPFHS will connect you to other Paso Fino horse enthusiasts, allowing you to share tips and discuss the best care methods for these majestic companion animals.  

Conclusion

Thoughtful, patient, and consistent training is among the best ways to achieve a harmonious relationship with your Paso Fino horse. By following the steps in this guide and maintaining a positive attitude throughout the training process, you can develop a strong partnership with your horse built on trust, respect, and effective communication. Not only will this relationship enhance your enjoyment of your horse as a family companion, but it will also improve the quality of the riding experience. In time, you may even be able to train a champion Paso Fino horse suitable for showing, dressage, or other specialized disciplines.