Classical Horsemanship in Peru

A Tradition Preserved, Not Invented

When riding the Peruvian Paso horse, many guests sense a riding style that feels unusually calm, balanced, and intuitive. The quiet seat, the soft hands, the absence of force — it can feel as if this way of riding was created here.

It was not.

The foundations of Peruvian equitation belong to classical European horsemanship, brought to Peru by the Spanish in the mid-16th century. What makes Peru exceptional is not invention, but continuity.

A Classical Language, Brought Across the Ocean

Long before horses reached the Americas, classical riding principles were already well established in Europe. From Xenophon (circa 350 BC) to the Renaissance riding masters, correct equitation was understood as a balance between horse and rider — not a struggle for control.

By the time horses arrived in Peru, Europe already possessed a mature riding culture:

• balance before collection

• seat before hand

• light contact instead of force

These principles were later preserved institutionally in places such as the Spanish Riding School of Vienna (founded in 1572), while in Peru they were preserved through daily use, necessity, and tradition.

Seat, Balance, and Soft Hands

At the heart of classical riding lies a simple truth:the rider’s seat governs the horse; the hand only refines the dialogue.

A deep, balanced seat allows the horse to move freely underneath the rider. Soft, elastic hands maintain communication without restriction. Pulling, jerking, or fixing the horse’s head contradicts classical logic — control through the mouth replaces balance with resistance.

In Peru, this seat-oriented riding survived not because it was theorised, but because it worked. Horses had to carry riders comfortably for hours, day after day, across varied terrain.

Peru: Classical Riding Without Arenas

Peruvian equitation developed outside riding schools, competitions, or formal academies. There were no judges to impress, no artificial frames to maintain, and no reason to exaggerate movement.

The Peruvian Paso horse evolved within this environment. Its natural balance and smooth gait align effortlessly with classical principles, often requiring less intervention than modern sport horses.

Europe preserved classical horsemanship through institutions.Peru preserved it through practice.

Oral Tradition — and Its Fragility

For generations, horsemanship in Peru has been transmitted orally. This has preserved exceptional feel, timing, and intuition.

But oral tradition alone is fragile.

Without shared theoretical foundations — anatomy, biomechanics, learning theory — classical principles risk being misunderstood, diluted, or unintentionally replaced. Riders may do the right thing without knowing why it works, or when it no longer does.

Preserving the Future

If Peru wishes to safeguard its equestrian heritage, preservation must now be paired with education.

Classical riding schools — grounded in theory as well as feel — would not replace tradition, but protect it. They would give future trainers a shared language and a deeper understanding of what they are doing, and why.

Classical horsemanship was not invented in Peru.But few places have preserved it so naturally.

The responsibility now is to ensure it survives consciously, professionally, and with respect for the horse.

For a practical explanation of riding the Peruvian Paso horse — including seat, aids, and gait — see our booklet Riding the Peruvian Paso Horse.