Training Classic Fino
Paso Fino Trainers' Directory is pleased to assist you with questions and concerned regarding the training of your Classic Fino horses.
There are many trainers with different approaches, however our trainers believe in getting the Paso Fino horses to perform difficult task with pride and excellence.
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Question:
When training a Classic Fino horse do you maintain the Fino gait at all times?
Answer:
We do not keep the Fino gait at all times. I either work in a largo or walk more than the Fino gait. When working first in Largo, I get a better center, the horse get more mechanical and fast to the Fino gait. Also, I work a lot to calm the horse to make it relax. The Fino gait, when in use, tells me the horse is getting supple, especially when the horse is working properly and without bitterness.
The Paso Fino Classic Fino is highly collected gait. A horse must have full use of all ranges of his movement to attain and maintain extreme collection. Therefore, there is some work done at the walk for relaxation, which is imperative for collection, some done at Corto, which is great for learning and conditioning, and them some at Largo, which is used to develop muscle, wind, and stamina. As competition comes closer, more work at Classic Fino is then incorporated.
Paso Fino Trainers' directory is committed to helping those in need of information and proper training the Paso Fino horse.
Question:
How to maintain the slow forward speed without loosing the quickness of footfall?
Paso Fino Training - Classic Fino Questions & Answers
Answer:
Like in many response to the question above, the Largo gait gets shorter becoming a Fino, because the horse is getting supple. Know that when you start to shorten the horse, or begin making it Fino without being supple, the horse could get very angry, lock up in the rear, and loose mechanical action or even speed.
Your horse should develop his rhythm and cadence, which transmits to quickens, in a more relaxed frame. As his ability to
collect improves, you will find that he will not loose his quickness when ask to travel at a slower forward speed. Remember this take time, training, and conditioning. Again this ability is bred into the horse. If the horse is properly trained in the bit and bosal then the horse, if it has the ability, will maintain its quickness at a slow forward speed. The horse must be supple and responsive to the reins.
Question:
How often should you practice the sounding board? Should the horse always be in the Fino gait?
Answer:
Everyday I go to the board, but I often practice the board more when closer to a show date. No, the horse does not have to be in a Fino gait, but should be in a 4-beat gait at all times. Exception: Some trainers do not put their horses in a Trocha gait to rest them for their 4-beat gait.
Practise on the board is something that can vary with each individual horse, at each individual rider. Some horses love it and get jazzed up about it. If your horse approaches the board without changing anything, not speeding up or slowing down, or trying to drift left or right, then you probably dont need to practice the board a lot for his benefit. If you find that you change, you grip the reins tighter or change your hand, leg or body position, then you need to practice more than your horse.
Again, as competition draws closer you should practice the board as though you are trying to win the class, but only as much as necessary.
This depends on the horse, its temperament and what you are preparing to do with the horse. For instance, if you are working the horse with the idea of showing or exhibiting the horse soon, within the next four weeks, then you may start to practice and work the horse on the sounding board. When working the horse on the sounding board you are not just pushing the horse as you were taking the horse in the show ring. You are working the horse, meaning you are focusing more on the way the horse approaches the sounding board, how it responds in the reins once on the sounding board, and if the horse is traveling straight or crooked, etc. As the show horse draws closer, the intensity of gait, collection, and quickness will increase. However, it is not necessary to work the board everyday or at a (full) Fino speed every time. This all depends on the horse, not just Fino horses.
Question:
Should you train your Fino horse on the trail?
Answer:
I personally do train my horses and clients horses on the trails. They tend to be more relaxed and not so afraid of their surroundings. Trails are a wonderful thing for every horse. A professionally trained Fino horse should be able to Flat Walk on a loose rein on a lovely trail ride. Imagine how beneficial that is for the horses mind and body. Hills and different terrain and footing also help condition all horses. Yes, training any and all your horses, wether they be Pleasure, Performance, or Classic Fino, training on the trails will help them. The trails gives the horse the opportunity to see new things and have new experiences. The trail helps the horse relax and enjoy the training process.
Question:
Does a Fino horse require special shoeing, i.i.e.angles, shoes?
Answer:
No they do not, but a well-balanced hoof is very important. Yes, there are special angles and shoes that do help. A good Paso Fino Farrier knows the tricks of the trade and it helps. Classic Fino horses, as with all horses needs to be shod or trimmed the that is best for their individual conformation and way of going. It is certainly helpful to have a knowledgeable Farrier that is aware of the type of movement desired in a Classic Fino horse to help with fine-tuning. The quicker and shorter a Paso Fino horse moves, the more precise the toe and hoof angle must be.
Question:
Once the horse is on bit do you train with the just the bit or do you use a bosal?
Answer:
I almost always use both but there are cases that I only use the bit. Even if a horse is trained to the bit only, I find myself in the bosal too. Most horses need some type of continuous flexing, which I prefer to do with a bosal. As a competition nears I will use a bit more exclusively for working. Unless the horse has a special need or I am in the final weeks preparing for the show, I train using bosal and the bit.
Question:
How do you execute the figure-eight, technique, leg pressure, reins and body position?
Answer:
Every horse is different. I prefer to execute to figure-eight over the inside hind quarter, changing the bend as the come out of the outside of the eight, picking up the new bend through the center of the eight. This is accomplished by a combination of leg, body, and rein aids, but everything must be very supple with the Classic Fino horses. The quicker and smaller the steps, the horse takes, the finer the aids must be. The figure-eight is executed the same way as you would execute a turn or circle on your horse. You body weight, leg pressure, and rein can all be used to smoothly execute the figure-eight.
Question:
When
What does a more exaggerated pull/release accomplish with Fino horses?
Answer:
I am not found of exaggerated pulls but sometimes it is usefully, especially with hard mouth horses. I use a lot of repetition and it always works well. When I do use hard pulls, I do it to imprint the horse a bit or let them know I am there. I think that most trainers that use the technique believe it can keep the horse from becoming stiff in the neck and poll, and help him to use his hocks better. This is a technique that only should be used by a Professional Trainer that has excellent hands, feels, and timing, and one who fully understands exactly what is to be accomplished.
For more information contact Professional Trainers' Directory, they are happy to answer any questions and assist you with training your Paso Fino horse properly.
