The best riding horse in the world

Unique genetic characteristics

The Peruvian Paso horse is the result of 500 years of natural and functional selection. It is descended from the horses introduced during the Spanish Conquest.

Its genetic heritage combines the traits of the Berber horse and the Andalusian. The Berber horse contributed to its stamina and ambling tendency. The Andalusian breed is responsible for its proud bearing and distinctive style.

The Peruvian horse has an even temperament and a kind, friendly disposition.

A smooth and rhythmic gait

Horses can perform two different gaits before starting to gallop: the trot or the ambling gait.

The trot is a two-beat gait. The horse trots by lifting two legs diagonally at the same time. Thus, the horse moves the hind legs together with the front legs on opposite sides, and sets them down simultaneously.

En la andadura, también conocida como “ambling gait”, by lifting the front and hind legs on the same side, and setting them down at the same time. It is also a two-beat gait.

For the rider, an ambling gait is more comfortable than the trot, but the movement remains rough.

The Peruvian horse breaks that two-beat gait in two parts, by moving one leg a fraction of a second before the other lateral leg.

This is a four-beat gait known as “paso llano”.

Esta forma de andar es muy suave y hace que el jinete apenas se mueva sobre la silla, ya que el centro de gravedad se mantiene fijo. Solo notas un ligero balanceo horizontal, lo que no castiga tu cintura o espalda.

This gait is very smooth and the rider barely moves over the saddle, as the centre of gravity stays in place. You only feel a slight horizontal swing, which does not hurt your upper or lower back.

This characteristic allows the horse to travel long distances at high speed and without sudden movements. Peruvians can maintain a speed of 12 km/h and withstand that pace for hours, reaching peaks of up to 18 km/h.

Within gaited horses, the Peruvian horse is the only one capable of travelling at these speeds maintaining the 4-beat gait.

Peruvian horses are born to naturally perform the 4-beat paso llano. They do not need to be trained for that, it’s a genetic characteristic.

Thanks to these exceptional qualities, we can travel more kilometres a day on our journeys without tiring out the horse or its rider.

When you dismount after spending 4 or 5 hours in the saddle, you realize why everyone believes that this is the best riding horse in the world.

No wonder that the travellers of the Viceroyalty of Peru chose this breed for 350 ye.

Also at a gallop

If riders wish, they can also gallop on the Peruvian horse, as gallop is one of its natural gaits.

All our horses at Ampascachi have been trained to perform the "paso llano" and the gallop too, to offer you a complete riding experience.

We invite you to meet our horses.