Cuban Paso
The Cuban Paso (Spanish: Caballo Cubano de Paso) is a horse breed native to Cuba, with an extra gait like all Paso horses.
| Country of origin | Cuba |
|---|---|
| Use | Saddle and stock horse |
| Traits | |
| Height |
|
History
Like many horses on the American continent, the Cuban Paso is descended from Iberian ancestors[1] brought over by the Spanish conquistadores.[2][3]
Description
The Cuban Paso belongs to the Criollo group of light horses.[1] Average height ranges from 1.40 m to 1.52 m according to CAB International,[1] and from 1.45 m to 1.51 m according to the Delachaux guide.[2]
The conformation is said to be harmonious.[3] The head is small and fine,[3][4] with a generally straight profile, large eyes, a broad forehead[2] and small ears.[3] The neck is strong,[4] of medium length, and arched.[3] The chest is broad and muscular.[3] The back is moderately long, with short loins.[3] The rump is slightly sloping, broad and well muscled.[2][3] Limbs are muscular and short, with strong knees.[3] Mane and tail are well furnished.[2]
All coat colors are possible,[1] but bay is the most common.
The breed has additional gaits,[1] in this case the marcha fina y gualdrapeada,[2] also known as marcha or andaruras,[3] a four-beat gait renowned for the comfort it provides in the saddle,[2][3] and which can be maintained over long distances.[3]
Usage
The Cuban Paso is mainly ridden, especially for trail riding and equestrian tourism, and used for transportation.[2]
Spread of breeding
Bonnie Lou Hendricks (University of Oklahoma) states (2007) that the breed is common,[3] while the Delachaux guide describes it as local and rare, specific to Cuba.[2] The DAD-IS database does not provide a count or indicate any level of threat.[5]
Most Cuban Paso are bred at the La Loma ranch in Cuba's Granma province.
Bibliography
References
- Porter et al. (2016, p. 458)
- Rousseau (2014, p. 484)
- Hendricks (2007, p. 143)
- Rousseau (2014, p. 485)
- "Caballo Cubano de Paso / Cuba (Horse)". Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (DAD-IS).
Bibliography
- Hendricks, Bonnie (2007). International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds (2nd ed.). University of Oklahoma Press. p. 486. ISBN 978-0-8061-3884-8.
- Méndez, Virgilio (2003). Origen del caballo cubano de paso (PDF) (in Spanish). Asociación Cubana de Producción Animal. p. 26. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-11-20. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
- Porter, Valerie; Alderson, Lawrence; Hall, Stephen; Sponenberg, Dan Phillip (2016). Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding. CAB International. p. 1107. ISBN 978-1-84593-466-8.
- Rousseau, Élise (2014). Tous les chevaux du monde [All the horses in the world] (in French). Delachaux et Niestlé. p. 544. ISBN 978-2-603-01865-1.