Present and Vital Challenges in Breeding Peruvian Paso Horses |
The need for foundation stock based on a better structure of Peruvian Paso Horse must become a priority in breeding programs. In North America in particular, where areas for riding horses are available throughout the region, our horses compete in a wide market of many gaited breeds. Our PPH has captured the attention of a very particular sort of rider. This is, generally speaking, a middle aged person who at their stage of life can afford a valuable horse but is no longer looking for the trotting breeds, preferring a "passive equitation" on a bounce free trail riding kind of animal. |
At the same time we must continue to supply the market with unquestionably the smoothest, most elegant and refined gaited horse in the world, but one with a longer productive riding life span. To achieve this strength without losing the IDENTITY of our breed with its wide thread of gait including termino and arrogance, is the subject I am addressing in this article. Our breed has long ago transcended the limits of Peru and become internationally recognized. This horse was a traveler's horse, ridden between valleys of the semi-deserted coastline of Peru. It was also a Plantation Horse, a rugged animal used by landowners and overseers of laborers in agriculture practices along the coastal land of Peru. Beginning in 1968, and for a long period of time after, Land Reform was decreed by the government. Large estates of property owned by rich and prosperous families were confiscated. This event changed the scenario of Peru. The Peruvian Horse owners and/or new aficionados did manage to preserve our breed and moved the horses onto small plots of land. At the same time mechanized vehicles mostly substituted the horse. The horses bred during the 70's and 80's, (a time when large numbers of PPH came to US) were predominantly bred with the show ring mentality in mind. Preference was given to adornments, such as collection, lift and termino. The same has happened in the promotion of this breed here in North America where horse shows have been the main attraction for the established breeders. As a consequence Peruvian Horses today are not as strong as we would like them to be in order to fit the immense market of trail riding people. Unfortunately, for reasons beyond their control; most people in Peru continue until today to raise their horses in confinement and horse shows remain the predominant goal in mind for most aficionados. Furthermore, there is still only a Breeding Division competition, with no Pleasure or Performance classes that demand an able horse capable of more mileage. Consider that the ANCPCPP owns a fantastic show facility in Lima that could hold many more events, perhaps opening the market for a more basic riding horse. In the "good old boys mentality" that still prevails in Peru; only now are women timidly beginning to participate in activities related to the Peruvian Horse. On a positive note, "Cabalgatas" (as Trail Rides are known in Peru) are becoming frequent among new aficionados and many family groups participate. Further, well known judges and breeders such as Mariano Cabrera in his excellent article "Breeders and the Destiny of our Horse", published in the ANCPCPP's 2002 Annual Report; writes about the need for going back to breeding a more rugged horse. Breeders understand that the science of breeding is oriented by humans for their own particular goals. Whether we speak of horses, or any breed of any species, CULLING is the first step and forever the primary tool for the improvement of a breeding program. Therefore we must continue to use it, eliminating (and by that I mean "put down") any weak or defective foals that give us any signs of being such. All breeders, LARGE and SMALL; must be prepared to do this! It is our responsibility if we choose to fool with nature. The rule of "three days, three weeks, three months" is a pretty accurate one for observing and deciding. Additionally, bilaterally broken down WEAK AND DEFECTIVE horses of any age should be culled without hesitation. The second most important tool we need to apply within our relatively small gene pool is to OUTCROSS the available important bloodlines that we have. In fact I believe that presently we have a more diversified, wider genetic pool in the USA than in Peru. This is not due to the fact that the USA has the largest Registry in the world, rather than a elite group of many outstanding horses, in particular stallions such as Piloto, Laurel, Hercules, Mantequilla, Palomo, HNS Domingo, AEV Cascabel, FG Candela and others; were exported from Peru and left little or no descendants in that country before their departure. Others born in the USA, such as Principe de la Solana, El Palomilla, RDS Me Llamo Peru, Antares, Soberano, etc., have made a stamp in many breeding programs in North America. This is the reason why we are now seeing a reversal and a select few stallions are being imported back to Peru from the USA, Central and South American countries. Before I raise controversy on this subject, let me very clear: I have not said that North America has either more nor better show horses. I am merely expressing my opinion about the options different countries have for breeding opportunities. My wife and I can tell you from our own experience that the introduction of outside bloodlines has improved our breeding programs. First it was through "Principe de la Solana" (Hercules x Ingrata), still going strong at age 29. Principe crossed excellently with predominantly Northern Cayalti x AV Sol de Paijan mares who present only a touch of Sol de Oro (V) blood. Presently we have "WFP El Joven Peru", (Me Llamo Peru x Pacifica) an 8 year old, very strong National Ch. of Ch. Breeding stallion and "Oro Blanco", a 21 year old stallion and the last living actively breeding son of Piloto. Each of these three excellent stallions is OUTCROSSED and only remotely related to each other. Nevertheless, we should always breed a special mare to prominent stallions other than our own if it would be a more complimentary breeding for her. Which brings me to a third, very important consideration in breeding: HUMILITY. Be open minded and use other than your own bloodlines when it benefits a particular mare. Thus we achieve a wider genetic base in our stock, preventing degeneration, such as infertility and weaknesses. Many breeders proudly exhibit pedigrees of their horses, displaying ancestors carrying the same bloodlines intertwined with each other. As many of us have learned, this can be a double edge sword. Often, breeders that achieve notability become vain and refuse to use outside bloodlines. As well as culling, out crossing, and humility we need the other essential tool: FOUNDATION STOCK. Quality begets quality. Have the best possible mare you can afford instead of a herd of lesser individuals. A mare is a precious investment. You can upgrade by breeding her to the right stallion and get an improved offspring, but you are going to be behind the overall better horses if you did not start at the top. The stallion, who is so much what people want to have; is the least important to own. You can incorporate most stallions into your program as they are available for breeding service if you choose to use them. Now, having before us the tools of culling, out crossing, humility and good stock for application, it brings us to the next question. How do we continue to improve our breed as a whole, where do we go from here? As we have in the last 50+ years since the creation of the ANCPCPP Peru's National Breed Organization, we must continue to make our breed more attractive to the equine world. We must also make it STRONGER in order to cover our deserved portion of the market. First let us analyze the present situation. We have come a long way but there is still a great deal of improvement to be made in conformation, in particular to the REAR END of our PPH. Despite it's lift and termino, it is not surprising that DSLD (Degenerative Suspensory Ligament Desmitis) manifests itself much more dramatically in the branches of the suspensory ligaments of the hind limbs as Dr.s Mero and Poole's confirm in a recent report to the AAEP. (American Association of Equine Practitioners) The rear end is the crucial area to improve in our breed at the present. There are only a select few stallions that can really help in this area. We must use them! |
By Raul Risso Matellini |
