A naturally smooth-gaited saddle breed from Peru, prized for its inborn four-beat 'paso llano' gait and flashy, energy-conserving 'termino' arm movement. Renowned for an exceptionally willing, kind temperament often called 'brio'.
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From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.
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Minimum
Box stall + pasture + shed
12×12 ft stall + 1 ac pasture + run-in shed
Gaited breeds meet the same welfare floor as any light riding horse: 12×12 ft stall, 1+ acre of daily turnout, a shed, and an equid companion. Specialist farriery is the main difference — natural-gait trims, never "soring" or stacks. Specialist gait set — find a farrier who understands the breed's natural-gait trim.
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Recommended
Stall + rotated pasture + trail access
12×12 ft stall + 2–3 ac pasture + trail access
Stall, 2–3 acres of rotated pasture per horse, a small herd, and access to varied trails. Gaited horses excel at long, smooth distance work and need conditioning miles more than arena time. Schedule a gait-savvy farrier on a regular cycle.
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Ideal
Trail-focused facility + herd
Barn + 5+ ac/horse + extensive trail / terrain access
Barn with 5+ acres per horse, multi-paddock rotation, a settled companion herd, and extensive trail access for the long, smooth gaits these breeds are bred for. Specialist gaited farrier, regular dental and bodywork, and ethical training (never soring).
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
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Newborn
Newborn mammals are nursed on their mother's milk. Many are born helpless — blind, deaf, and sparsely furred (altricial, as in dogs, cats, and rodents) — while others stand and follow within hours (precocial, as in hoofed livestock).
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Juvenile
After weaning, juveniles grow quickly and become increasingly active, playful, and independent. Adult coat, proportions, and (in many species) the permanent teeth come in as they approach full size.
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Adult
Adults reach full body size and sexual maturity, with the species' mature coat and build. Sexual dimorphism — differences in size, mane, horns, or markings — is pronounced in some mammals and subtle in others.
Senior
Senior animals show aging signs such as graying fur, reduced activity, and a greater need for veterinary monitoring of joints, teeth, and organ function. Lifespan and the onset of old age vary widely by species and size.
Habitat & enclosure
Pasture with a run-in shelter or stabling with daily turnout. A hardy, sound breed that tolerates varied climates but needs dry footing to protect feet and joints. Provide a paddock large enough for the breed's enthusiastic movement; secure post-and-rail or no-climb fencing. Companionship of other horses is important.
Diet
Forage-based diet of good-quality grass/hay (roughly 1.5-2% of body weight daily) with fresh water and a salt/mineral block. Many are easy keepers prone to weight gain, so limit rich pasture and grain; supplement concentrates only for hard-working or breeding animals. Monitor body condition to avoid obesity-linked laminitis.
Behavior & temperament
Gaited saddle and show horse bred for smooth, ground-covering travel rather than speed. The hallmark is 'brio'—high spirit paired with a tractable, people-oriented disposition, making them comfortable for trail, endurance-style pleasure riding, and breed-show classes. Stallions are typically managed but the breed is famed for gentleness.
Health
Generally robust and long-lived. Watch for obesity and laminitis in easy keepers, and for degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis (DSLD/ESPA), a connective-tissue disorder documented in the breed that causes chronic hind-limb lameness. Routine farrier care and movement evaluation help catch early signs.
Tips, DIY & hacks
Have feet trimmed for natural, flat soundness—avoid weighted shoes or artificial gait-enhancing devices, which are penalized by reputable registries and harm welfare. Introduce the gait under a balanced rider; the paso is inborn and should not be forced. Buy from registries that screen breeding stock for DSLD.
