Paso Fino, “Romeo”
August 26, 2010 • Gaited Horses, Inspirational, LRG Customers • Author: Julie • Comments: (0)
I discovered Long Riders Gear years ago when I learned that my Thoroughbred mare, Cara, loved trail riding more than dressage or jumping. She was my best girlfriend, and we had much fun on the trails. With her, I had my first Skito Pad, , Toklat Woolback Pads, Cashel Ankle Safe, and pommel pack. Tragically, she suffered a fatal fracture in a turnout accident at the age of 21. I was devastated. It was difficult to even think of another horse… but it was more difficult to think of not having a horse to share my life with. After having a horse that I could trust in all situations and who read my mind, that was going to be some big hooves to fill.
Joanne on Cara , her dearly missed Thoroughbred.
My search was complicated by the fact that I have scoliosis. At the age of 12, I had 8 vertebrae fused with bone. Once the healing was done, my doctors cleared me to ride (after several years of body casts, braces and physical therapy). Fast forward to the age of 50, after 38 years of physical activity and just plain age, the vertebrae beneath the original fusion were badly deteriorated. So 16 hours of surgery, over a pound of stainless steel and titanium, and “voila!”, I am cleared to ride again. However, I have limited flexibility and knew that I would need a small horse that I could get on and off, if needed, out in the middle of nowhere! Also, it would be nice if that horse had super smooth gaits. I studied several breeds, and determined that the Paso Fino would be a good choice. They do not rock side to side like the TWH and Missouri Fox Trotters, and have the baroque look that I love. There is only one big farm in New England, Paso Fino del Fuego Farm, so my husband and I made an appointment to go visit.
The owner, Bobby Yunits, first put me on their school horse, to assess my ability. The first ‘for sale’ horse they showed us took our breath away - a gorgeous golden dun - into the arena he corto’d with one of the trainers on board, his little feet going a mile a minute. I will say that my first ride on him was not so smooth, as I quickly learned that the cues trained into these horses are very different from my classical dressage training. I left the farm that day feeling that perhaps this breed was too hot and sensitive for my trail riding plans. I was discouraged. My husband and Bobby were both fabulous in encouraging me to give the breed a chance; to take lessons in how to ride these horses and to try other horses that were for sale. But the farm owner, who was not the owner of the dun, said for what I wanted, this little horse was the best trail horse he knew. Every time I would go for my lesson or to try another sale horse, Bobby would put me back on the dun, and after two months I realized he was right… that “Romeo de United” would be my perfect trail partner.
It has been four years since that time. Romeo and I have been to numerous organized pleasure trail rides, judged rides (winning one and always placing), gymkhanas, and the annual Paso Fino Fandango show in Massachusetts. We have over 500 hours in the “Paso’s For Pleasure” program offered by the Paso Fino Horse Association. This year, Romeo received his 250-mile award from the New England Horse and Trail Club, where miles are awarded at organized rides listed with the club.
I write a column for the Northeast Paso Fino Horse Association called “Where are We Going Next?”, because that is what I feel from my horse every time we go somewhere. He is eager for every and all adventures, ears pricked and ready to rock and roll. Not much scares him (other than ditches with water in them!) But dogs, coyote, deer, snowmobiles… bring ‘em on! He is extremely forward, and although his stride isn’t that long (after all, he is only 13.3 hands high), he can out-walk all of my riding friends’ horses and keeps pace with 17-hand Thoroughbreds, no problem. His gaits are smooth, and after 4+ hours on his back, I have no pain or complaints. To ensure that he can say the same, I have a Skito Pad on order for him. I have no give in my lower spine, and figure that I am harder on his back than a normal rider.
I have my new E-Z Ride Stirrups with the black leather covering, so that we are ‘styling’ in the ring. This year, instead of the A/O Pleasure Gelding class, we are trying the Trail class. I think it would be fun to do the Extreme Trail Challenge events that are becoming popular. We will spend the winter months practicing obstacles, some of which are of ‘concern’ to my horse. It will beat riding in circles in the indoor, and will keep both of our brains busy.
Oh, and did I say Romeo is barefoot? He hasn’t had shoes for 3+ years, and is comfortable in most all situations. For the extreme conditions, I do have a pair of Easyboot Edges, but rarely feel I need them.
So, Romeo is quite the horse, and I will admit that I am smitten with this “Golden Boy”. Although someone once said it was ‘bragging’, I do tell people that he is better on the inside than he is on the outside. And I mean it. –Joanne Cotter
