Like many of the great breeds that have come from the Americas, the Peruvian Horse has its roots in Spanish horses brought over centuries ago.
The Peruvian gait is a four-beat lateral movement with a foot sequence of left hind, left fore, right hind, right fore. The slower speed is called the paso llano while the faster gait is called the sobreandando.
North American Peruvian Horse Association (NAPHA) says there are roughly 20,000 Peruvians in North America, with the number holding steady.
A hallmark of the breed is brio, which roughly translates to “willing energy.” It means the animal is forward, smart, eager and responsive—without being high strung or hot.