The World of Peruvian Paso Horses

Introduce Yourself!

First of all, I'd like to thank PHW for providing such a wonderful venue for Peruvian enthusiasts all over the world. And thank you to those that have shared their photos, videos and insights, PHW is quickly becoming a truly valuable source of information. This is something that has been missing for a very long time.

PHW is growing so rapidly that I'm finding it difficult to go through all the members' profiles to find out more about everyone. I was hoping we could have a central locale where established members and those new to the site could introduce themselves.

I would personally love to hear how everyone came to the breed, what kept them involved and of course, all about the horses themselves. There are many names on PHW that I recognize, and I welcome the opportunity to "get to know" the people that go with those names.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Marna Franz on August 28, 2008 at 4:01pm: I'll go first...

My family and I live in SW Washington. We currently have three Peruvians and a cart pony, but had other breeds (gaited and non) prior. I first became interested in the Peruvian Horse after fracturing my L5 vertebra in three places in a riding accident. I also found out at the same time that I have degenerative spinal disease. My doctor told me I could no longer ride horses or run the risk of becoming a paraplegic. While my fracture was healing, I read online about Peruvians being used for therapy in back-injury patients. I felt I'd found a way to continue riding with less chance of further injury, and continued to research the breed.

I bought my first Peruvian in 2002, and was totally smitten with the breed. My husband has had back surgery and realized how much my gelding helped my back and shortly after we bought him his own Peruvian gelding. Riding has helped both of us strengthen our core muscles and a nice relaxed trail ride seems to ease the muscle spasms in our lower backs. This is something we'd never encountered in other gaited breeds, and was a welcome surprise.

We have two daughters and a son, now aged 13, 14 and 21. Our girls (Jordan F. in the PHW Juniors group is my daughter) had been showing stock horses in 4-H, open and zone shows, and were interested in showing Peruvians. We attended an all-gaited show and the NW Regional Championship show as spectators just to get a feel of things. I was so impressed with the friendliness of the "Peruvian People" as compared to what we'd encountered before. We were made to feel welcome and invited to join the NW Regional Club. We were sold on the whole experience and have been showing the Peruvians since.

Even with a lifetime of horses and riding, I find the Peruvian Horse to be a remarkable breed. The gait, the brio, everything about them is so unique and they are solely responsible for my continued ability to ride. Add to that the beautiful tack, the fact that they're shown naturally, and all the wonderful people, I'm rather grateful to that Arabian that broke my back and led me to "my breed."; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Laura Mesia on August 29, 2008 at 2:49pm: Hi Marna-

Thanks for starting this. This will be a great way to learn more about each other. I too would love to hear everyone's "story". So...here's mine...

I remember the phone call, almost like it was yesterday, because it was the catalyst for a big change in my lifestyle!

I live in IL, and my mom, Linda, lives in TX. I get a phone call from my mom, "Laura, I've just bought a new horse!" Me, "Wow...that is great mom...what kind, a QH, an Arabian, Appaloosa?" Mom, "No...a Peruvian Paso." Me, "A WHAT?" Mom, "A Peruvian Paso." Me, "Uhhhh...Okay....I'm happy for you. What the heck is a Peruvian Paso?!!!"

Fast forward a few months...I took a trip down to visit my mom and see this "Peruvian Paso" You have to realize that this was before the internet age...you could not Google "Peruvian Paso" and learn all about them! This was more like Windows 3.1 days! So...I go to Texas, and we visit the ranch where she is boarding her new mare. Of course my mom invites me to ride her mare, Majestica. Well, I'm sure all of you are VERY familiar with that PPH smile that comes over the face of anyone riding one for the first time! I thought to myself, "Aha!, this is why she bought this horse...this is the smoothest ride I've ever had in my life...I NEVER want to ride another horse ever again! (And I haven't, except for the one time that my son wanted to go on a trail ride to see what a "bouncy horse" felt like!)

That was it! It was over for any other breed! My mom started breeding, and in 1994 told me to pick out a foal for myself. Which I did. Fast forward to 2000, when I could actually afford to keep a horse of my own...I still had my mare in TX, but she was not yet ready for a novice rider like myself...so she gave me a seasoned gelding. He was her "soul horse" and he became mine as well. He was the epitome of the breed...gentle with the novice...and a pro in the showring...point at cones and he was on "autopilot"! I was in love! JS Altanero...writing his name in the sky with every step he took...I'll never forget you!

2001, I bought a small ranch of my own, moved Altanero to his new lonesome 13 acre spread, so Mom gave me 6 more horses to keep him company and start me on my way. Today, we have a small herd of 14. (13 Peruvians...one Arabian rescue horse that we've had now for 4 years...a friend dragged me to an auction, and I hate seeing any horse in trouble!)

I can not imagine going to bed each night, and waking up each morning without these magnificent animals in my life. Watching them can truly change your perspective on how we treat each other as humans. They have innate qualities we should all strive to possess.

As for the human aspect...I live in IL with my husband Victor, a native of Peru, and my son, Tyler who is now 14. We enjoy hanging out together, spending time with family and friends, and basically enjoying life here on our small homestead.

We haven't shown the horses much in the last few years, and I'd really like to get back into it. I miss all the friendly faces and friends we've made over the years...and there is just something that is so exciting about being in the show ring. The horses even seem to sense the excitement all around. It's quite exhilarating! The people in this breed are amazing...whether you win or lose, you always have someone there cheering you on. I feel very fortunate to have learned about our breed of horse. I wouldn't have had the opportunity to meet my husband if I had not...which is another story in itself! (How often does the man of your dreams show up and ring your doorbell?!)

So...here's to my Mom! For buying a Peruvian Paso Horse, and not a QH, or Arabian or Appaloosa! Without the PPH, my life would not be what it is today...family and all!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Marna Franz on September 1, 2008 at 10:43pm: What a great story! I appreciate you taking the time to share. I think the PH has a way of touching and changing lives like no other breed.

Feel free to tell the rest of the story of how you met Victor. You've got a great writing style and I look forward to reading more.

My Panama hat is off to your mom. :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Laura Mesia on September 2, 2008 at 8:37pm: Hi Marna-

Thanks for the kind comments! I'm no Charlotte Bronte that's for sure! Yes, they sure do. My husband Victor was a city boy from Lima, then Chicago when I met him...he was afraid of the horses (he probably won't like me writing that!), but now, he too has been warmed over by their charms!

I have a feeling that if I wrote the sugary, syrupy, starry eyed, story of how we met that all our visitors would go "YUCK", and then we'd have to rename the site to "As The Peruvian Horse World Turns".

Thanks again for sharing your story, and starting this thread, it's a great way to get the more personal side of owning this wonderful breed of horse...my hat's off to you!

Best,
Laura; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dawn Freiburger on September 7, 2008 at 7:29pm: Thank you for the invitation. I have owned my Peruvian for 4 years. I have had 2 back surgeries and it was doubtful I would ever ride again. Thanks to a dedicated friend that helped find my gelding and the support of my husband I am still riding. I just truly love the temperment (brio) of my gleding Magnum... CLM Mascron. He definately has a mind of his own but is always a willing to do what I ask of him. I had quarter horses most of my life and my peruvian is definately a different animal. I love the fact that his gaits are so natural that I never have to think about what I am doing to make him gait. So many other breed boast about being naturally gaited but you had to have the head just so the bit just so and your behind in the saddle just so to make the horse gait. But not with the Peruvian they just do it. I will never own another breed. Thank you for the opportunity to share my story..... dawn.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Francisco Marcucci on September 10, 2008 at 12:37pm: My father started with the PPH one year before I was born (36 years ago), my mother always told me that she thought that my first word would be “caballo” (“horse”) but my father was happy that my first word was “papa” (“dad”) hahaha. Since I can remember I have love the PPH and having my father to teach me its great.

My father always wanted to know if I truly like the PPH so he always made me try other type of horses and sports with horses. But he was really happy when the horse that I like was/is the PPH.

We have a ranch here in Guatemala Central America close to the Pacific Ocean name “Montaña Larga” and have around 24-27 PPH, the ranch also is a sugar cane plantation so we have a lot of space to enjoy them tho my company makes it a bit hard to spend the time I would like to spend.

There has been a lot of great people that I got to know from Peru, USA, El Salvador, Honduras, etc thanks to the PPH and some great memories that the PPH had give me. One that I can remember is that I had a the great opportunity to ride AV Sol de Paijan when we visited one of our friends in Honduras, have to say that for me that horse was one of the greatest and to have that opportunity was amazing.

Here in Central America we have the “Concurso Centro Americano” that is once a year, last year was in El Salvador, this show gathers horses from all over Central America and people around the world. Next year it is going to be Honduras hope some of you can join us is a really great time of PPH and friendship.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Olga Musson-Zepke on September 29, 2008 at 4:07pm: Hi Marna:

As you know, you are the reason I became interested in the Peruvian Horse. I was interested in the gaited breeds and learned more from you as I got to know you.

I am not a Peruvian owner, although I would love to be. Unfortunately there are NO Peruvians in Malaysia and the general equine public has little, if any, knowledge about the breed. With no specimen of the breed it is hard to get anyone interested. I have posted some pictures and a vidoe of the breed on our local website but no one has risen to the bait and stated "I want one".

I presently have three horses and I take care of several others. None of them gaited unfortunately.

Meanwhile I am still learning as much as I can about the breed and am a complete disciple. I am glad to learn of this website and hope to visit it often.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Marna Franz on October 9, 2008 at 1:43pm: A big thank you to those that shared. It's great to read about you all. Olga, we may just one day find a Peruvian for you to at least try. This site could very well make that happen someday. I sure wish it were easier to ship one to you. Thank you for joining us here!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Chico on November 9, 2008 at 10:47am: im a horse wisperer of 39 years old , i train horses professional for tournaments one on one i bred horses to from very antiques northern blood lines , i give clinics at felipe thorndike valdez house in Lima Peru once a year, at the moment im living in Ecuador next months ill be in Lima for a clinic mi Master criadero started by mi Granfather Esteban Quirola 60 years ago is at Ecuador where i got 230 horses never shown ! and we have never for sale , our bredding program is piloto blood lines and also bergantin i also work with spoiled horses that has been abused on their hart or cross by a traumatic scene like what happens to me when i lost mi brother ( no coments about that) and also with the lost of mi Grand mother the only woman i have been in love. i get into when i get into the studyes of
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a type of anxiety disorder that's triggered by an extremely traumatic event. You can develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when a traumatic event happens to you or when you see a traumatic event happen to someone else.

Many people who are involved in traumatic events or witness them have a brief period of difficulty adjusting and coping. But with time and some healthy coping methods, such traumatic reactions usually get better on their own. In some cases, though, the symptoms can get worse or last for months or even years. Sometimes, they may even completely disrupt your life. In these cases, you may have post-traumatic stress disorder.

Post-traumatic stress disorder may affect survivors of such traumatic events as sexual or physical assault, war, torture, a natural disaster or an airplane crash. Post-traumatic stress disorder also can affect rescue workers at the site of mass casualties or other tragedies. These kinds of events may cause intense fear, helplessness or horror.

which become part of mi training methods. as a horse healer ! i study at monty roberts internacional training center in argentina and paulo mello from brazil , i has got other teachers like Vital Maroto Costarica , Master Trainer Emiliano Barrantes from peru and others around the world, ill give them encouragament to rebelieved in their self and to become champions , all i do is give them some loving and more than a horse wisperer lets say im a healer for peruvians horses i was living in costarica border with Panama at mi experimental small quinta at mi humming bird garden where i got mi stallion chico ("cash luna") and mi mares EQF pipa and EQF enapi where im crossing mi mares with regional blood line and sol ,de paijan chico ("cash luna") on training for 2010 to be shown at central america , i also train chalanes for Felipe Thorndike Valdez internacional judge most of them go to Europe and United States to work , i make them master trainers for peruvians horses.
people star calling me chico in central america cause chico in spanish means kid , friends i met didint know mi last name so francisco nick name is chico in central america and more in costarica in Ecuador friends call me paco ass a nick name of francisco the only thing i love in life after mi mother and mi horses is the good pisco and a good conversattions after the training , nothing in world is better than that.
if i have to say and to give credits as the responsable of mi sucess on mi technics i will say that mi masters trainers and the base i got is from michelle hanh argentina at monty roberts international training center and , Emiliano Barrantes ( Q.D.E.P.) who pass away 3 years ago at the age of 98 years old and i was his last student and holder of what he pass to me ( "El Duende") and antique art methods of training and healing horses with colors and sounds. and also paulo mello reining champion of argentina and brazil for Quarter horses at Quebracho Herrado Adela nores de volpez.
all the best.

("chico"); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Chico on November 9, 2008 at 10:49am: before i forgat the glory for mi lord jesus !! the best master trainer who chance mi awfull life into a beautifull space in heaven .; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Chico on November 13, 2008 at 6:39am: the moment i write this we did not has electric light in the house , so i make a mistake on the nick name any way mi english writting is getting worst and worst every day jajaja.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by jj ranch on December 9, 2008 at 3:06pm

Well I was lucky to have my first horse as a peruvian! She came to us very thin and not well taken care of. Also by her side was a 2 month old stud colt. We fattened her back up and weaned baby at 6 months. Still have the baby but had to sell mare. She had dsld bad in her back legs. For the year I had her was amazing. Her baby is now a gelding and a yearling that is so sweet. Full of life and love. He will be my future trail rider. Cant wait!!

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