There are many different types and breeds of horses that specialize in many different areas; some are best for racing, some for jumping and others for parades. However, it has been agreed that the qualities that make the best all around horse are temperament, beauty, versatility, low maintenance, and being all around pleasurable. The Peruvian Paso is the one horse that meets all of these criteria. The Peruvian Paso is considered to be the smoothest riding horse on earth. Its natural and efficient gait, which is a lateral four beat step, is what makes it unique, along with its fiery spirit, gentle nature and eagerness to please.

The breed's ancestors came from Spain and included a mixture of Barb, Spanish Jennet, and Andalusian. The breed was refined and carefully bred in Peru for several centuries, making for a purebred that has roots that can be traced back to the naturally gaited horses of Spain.

Christopher Columbus brought the first horses to the island of Santo Domingo in 1493 that were used to start the first breeding operation. Soon after, the breed moved down into the central parts of South America and was used for mounting troops during their conquests. In 1532 Francisco Pizzaro's troops used an early version of the Peruvian Paso when he conquered the Inca Empire. It was here, in Peru's rough terrain, where these lovely animals stayed isolated and were bred to perfection.

The horse is medium sized, usually standing between 14.1 and 15.2 hands. It has a powerful build with a deep chest and heavy, gracefully arched neck which contribute to their remarkable endurance. The coat color varies between chestnut, black, brown, bay, buckskin, palomino, gray, roan or dun colors; with solid colors, grays and dark skin considered most desirable. They have an abundant, lustrous mane that can be either straight or curly.

Breeders consider temperament and gait as the most important characteristics of the Peruvian Paso:

In selecting for temperament, Peruvian Paso breeders are searching for brio. Brio is often translated as "spirit," but is actually a more complex term. It is a somewhat contradictory temperament, which combines arrogance, spirit, and the sense of always being on parade, with loyalty and an eagerness to please their rider. If a horse has a bad temperament, it will not be bred, lest that trait be passed to further generations.

Albright interprets the sensation of brio in the following quote:

“He comes into view, elegant and handsome... maybe even a little pretentious and arrogant. Always on parade, he fills the scene with his ample movements. The universe is barely big enough to contain his boastful gaiety. He is a source of great pleasure to his owner and to all those who see him."

As for their gait, Purebred Peruvian Paso horses are born with their ability to gait and show it off soon after they are born: the gait is inbred and does not require training. Purebred Peruvian Paso foals can be seen gaiting alongside their dams within a few hours of their birth. The Peruvian Paso has four unique four-beat gaits which are performed between the walk and the canter instead of a trot (although they can still canter and gallop): The Walk, Paso Llano, Sobreandando, and Huachano. These gaits are lateral - left hind, left fore, right hind, right fore- instead of diagonal like trotting horses. In this way the weight is more evenly distributed and little to no movement is transferred to the rider.

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