Peruvian Paso: Health, Temperament, Care & Costs

The Peruvian Paso is a naturally gaited saddle horse developed in Peru for long, comfortable rides over varied terrain. Most stand about 14 to 15 hands and weigh roughly 900 to 1,100 pounds, giving them a compact but athletic build. Their hallmark is the smooth four-beat paso llano gait, often paired with termino, an outward rolling forelimb motion that is part of the breed’s traditional style.

Temperament is one of the breed’s biggest draws. Well-bred Peruvian Pasos are often described as willing, people-focused, and steady, with brio—a controlled spirit rather than nervousness. That combination can make them appealing for trail riding, pleasure riding, and breed shows. Many pet parents also appreciate that the ride feels smoother than a trot-heavy breed, which can be more comfortable for riders who want long hours in the saddle.

Care needs are similar to those of other light riding horses, but management should match the individual horse’s age, workload, body condition, and hoof quality. A Peruvian Paso may do very well in light to moderate work on a forage-first diet, regular hoof care, and consistent conditioning. Because gait quality depends on comfort and soundness, even mild pain in the back, feet, suspensory apparatus, or mouth can affect performance.

This breed is often hardy, but it is not maintenance-free. Your vet can help tailor preventive care, weight management, dental scheduling, and lameness monitoring so your horse stays comfortable whether they are a backyard trail partner or an actively shown horse.

Peruvian Pasos are generally considered durable horses, but they still face the same everyday equine risks seen in other riding breeds: colic, dental disease, parasites, lameness, skin problems, and infectious disease exposure. Because they are bred for a smooth, efficient gait, subtle soreness can show up as reduced impulsion, shortened stride, resistance under saddle, or loss of gait quality before obvious limping appears.

One breed-associated concern discussed in gaited horses, including Peruvian Pasos, is degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis (DSLD). This is a progressive connective tissue disorder that can start with mild, intermittent lameness or stiffness and later involve dropped fetlocks, pain, and reduced athletic ability. Not every Peruvian Paso will develop DSLD, but it is important to ask your vet to evaluate any chronic limb soreness, stance changes, or unexplained gait decline early.

Like many easy-keeping horses, some Peruvian Pasos can also become overweight if calorie intake outpaces work. Excess body condition raises concern for equine metabolic syndrome, insulin dysregulation, and laminitis risk. A cresty neck, fat pads, or unexplained foot soreness deserve a conversation with your vet. Senior horses may also develop PPID and need closer monitoring for muscle loss, coat changes, recurrent infections, or shifting energy needs.

Routine dental and hoof care matter more than many pet parents realize. Sharp enamel points, hooks, or other dental problems can lead to quidding, weight loss, resistance to the bit, and poor performance. Hoof imbalance or delayed farrier visits can affect comfort and the natural gait. If your horse shows stiffness, reluctance to move, dropping feed, or a change in way of going, your vet can help sort out whether the issue is orthopedic, dental, metabolic, or something else.

The purchase cost range for a Peruvian Paso varies widely with age, training, bloodlines, and show record. In the U.S., a pleasure or lightly trained horse may fall around $5,000 to $15,000, while well-trained, proven, or imported horses can run $15,000 to $40,000+. The horse itself is often only the starting point. Ongoing care is where the larger yearly commitment usually appears.

For routine monthly care, many pet parents spend about $300 to $1,200+ per month depending on whether the horse lives at home, on pasture board, or at full board. Feed and hay often run $150 to $400 per month if not included in board. Farrier care commonly costs $50 to $90 every 6 to 8 weeks for trims, or $120 to $300+ per visit if shoes are needed. Routine wellness care usually adds $400 to $1,000+ per year for exams, vaccines, fecal testing and targeted deworming, with dental care often $200 to $600 yearly depending on sedation and findings.

Boarding is usually the biggest variable. Pasture board may be around $250 to $600 per month, while full board commonly lands around $700 to $1,500+ per month in many U.S. markets. Training, hauling, tack, supplements, insurance, and show fees can raise the total quickly. If your Peruvian Paso develops lameness, colic, or a metabolic problem, emergency and specialty costs can climb into the hundreds to several thousands of dollars.

A practical planning target for many pet parents is $6,000 to $18,000+ per year for ongoing ownership, not including purchase cost or major emergencies. Setting aside an emergency fund is wise, especially for horses used for travel, competition, or regular trail work. Your vet and barn team can help you build a realistic care plan that fits both your horse’s needs and your budget.

Most healthy adult Peruvian Pasos do best on a forage-first feeding plan. Current equine nutrition guidance recommends at least 1.5% to 2% of body weight per day in forage on a dry matter basis, with water available at all times. For a 1,000-pound horse, that often means roughly 15 to 20 pounds of forage dry matter daily, adjusted for hay moisture, pasture access, workload, and body condition. Many Peruvian Pasos are efficient keepers, so they may need fewer concentrates than a harder-keeping performance horse.

The right ration depends on whether your horse is an easy keeper, a senior, in training, or dealing with a medical issue. Some Peruvian Pasos maintain weight well on hay, pasture, salt, and a ration balancer. Others in regular work may need added calories from a balanced concentrate or fat source. If your horse is overweight or has insulin dysregulation concerns, your vet may recommend a lower non-structural carbohydrate approach, careful pasture control, and measured hay feeding rather than free-choice rich forage.

Feed changes should always be gradual. Sudden shifts in hay, grain, turnout, or meal size can increase digestive upset and colic risk. Splitting concentrates into smaller meals, keeping feeding times consistent, and matching calories to workload all help support gut health and steady energy. Clean water and plain salt should be available every day, with electrolytes considered for horses sweating heavily in work or hot weather.

Body condition scoring is one of the most useful tools for this breed. A smooth gait can hide early fitness or weight problems, so hands-on monitoring matters. If your horse develops a cresty neck, fat pads, poor topline, or unexplained weight loss, ask your vet whether the issue is diet, dental disease, parasites, workload, or an endocrine condition.

Peruvian Pasos are bred to cover ground comfortably, and many thrive with regular, moderate exercise. They are often happiest when they have a job, even if that job is only consistent pleasure riding, trail work, or light schooling several days a week. Daily turnout is valuable for mental well-being, joint mobility, and digestive health, especially for horses that spend part of the day stalled.

Conditioning should support the breed’s natural gait rather than force speed or frame. Long, steady rides, hill work, transitions, and gradual fitness building usually suit them well. A horse coming back from time off should return to work slowly, with attention to breathing, recovery time, muscle soreness, and hoof comfort. If gait quality worsens with work, that is a reason to pause and involve your vet rather than push through it.

Because these horses can be generous and willing, some will keep trying even when uncomfortable. Watch for subtle warning signs such as shortened stride, reluctance to collect, pinned ears during saddling, stumbling, or resistance to the bit. Saddle fit, rider balance, hoof trimming cycle, and dental comfort all influence how well a Peruvian Paso moves.

Young horses need age-appropriate conditioning, not heavy repetitive work. Senior horses often benefit from continued light exercise to preserve topline, flexibility, and metabolic health, but they may need longer warm-ups and more recovery time. Your vet can help tailor an exercise plan if your horse has arthritis, DSLD concerns, obesity, or a history of laminitis.

Preventive care for a Peruvian Paso should be individualized, but most horses need regular wellness exams, vaccination review, dental care, hoof care, parasite monitoring, and body condition tracking. AAEP vaccination guidance emphasizes that there is no one-size-fits-all program for every horse. Core vaccines are widely recommended for most horses, while risk-based vaccines depend on travel, boarding, breeding status, geography, and exposure.

Parasite control has also changed in recent years. Current AAEP guidance recommends targeted deworming based on fecal egg counts, rather than automatic year-round rotation on a fixed schedule. Many adult horses are dewormed once or twice yearly at baseline, with additional treatment based on shedding status and herd risk. This approach helps reduce resistance and avoids unnecessary medication.

Dental care should be scheduled at least yearly for most adults, and often every 6 months for seniors or horses with known dental issues. Hoof care is usually needed every 6 to 8 weeks, though some horses need shorter intervals to stay balanced and comfortable. Because gait quality depends on symmetry and comfort, staying on schedule with your farrier is especially important in this breed.

At home, pet parents can do a lot between appointments: monitor appetite, manure, water intake, weight, digital pulses, hoof heat, and any change in movement or attitude. Keep records of vaccines, fecal tests, farrier dates, dental work, and body condition. If your horse develops colic signs, acute lameness, trouble breathing, or sudden neurologic changes, see your vet immediately.