Continent: America
Country: Colombia
Weight: 350 – 450 kg
Height: 138 – 152 cm
The Trocha Pura Colombiana is a Colombian breed developed from the Paso Fino Colombiano during the 1960s.This creation aimed to distinguish horses exhibiting a specific diagonal gait called the “trocha”, faster and smoother than the classical trot.
The word trocha literally means “path” or “trail” in Spanish, evoking the breed’s original role on the mountain routes of Colombia.Like the Paso Fino, it descends from Iberian horses brought to South America in the 16th century, notably Andalusian and Spanish Jennet types. The breed’s stud-book is managed by CORPOICA (Cundinamarca), which ensures the purity and preservation of its defining characteristics.
Limited but growing presence in Venezuela and Ecuador, mainly for competitions and exhibitions.
Some breeders are also based in the United States, especially in Florida and California, catering to the Colombian diaspora passionate about paso horses.
The breed remains heavily concentrated in Colombia (over 90% of the global population), where it stands as a cultural and national symbol.
The Trocha Pura Colombiana holds a special place in the genetic diversity of South American horses. Developed from the Paso Fino Colombiano, this breed has established a diagonal four-beat gait called the trocha, which is absent in most other gaited breeds. This specific locomotor pattern is partly based on a variation of the DMRT3 gene, identified in about 10% of tested individuals, confirming the genetic foundation of its distinctive gait.
Thanks to this unique feature, the Trocha Pura serves as an ideal model for studies on equine locomotion and the genetics of natural gaits. Its old Iberian lineage, which has remained relatively homogeneous, provides a valuable genetic reservoir for conservation programs of Colombian horse breeds. In addition, its adaptation to Andean terrain, resilience, and functional lightness make it a useful base for improving hardiness and riding comfort in other regional breeds.
Although not widely exported, the Trocha Pura helps preserve the genetic diversity of Iberian-American horse populations. It combines a rare balance of energy and docility, traits highly valued in breeding programs for gaited horses. Thus, this breed is not only a cultural heritage but also a scientific and selective resource for future generations.
The history of the Trocha Pura Colombiana traces back to the colonial era. In the 16th century, Spanish conquistadors brought Andalusian, Barb, and Iberian Jennet horses to Colombia, prized for their smooth, natural gaits. These horses, well adapted to mountainous terrain and long distances, became the foundation of all modern Colombian gaited breeds, including the Paso Fino Colombiano.
Over time, Colombian breeders observed that some Paso Fino horses displayed a unique diagonal movement, different from the traditional lateral gait. In the 1960s, this natural gait called trocha began to be selected and refined. The goal was to create a horse faster than the Paso Fino but more comfortable than the traditional trot. This distinction led to the recognition of a new line, named Trocha Pura Colombiana, separating it from the lateral-gaited Paso Fino.
The Trocha Pura became an officially structured breed in the second half of the 20th century. Its stud-book is managed by CORPOICA (Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria), in collaboration with Fedequinas (Colombian Paso Horse Federation). These institutions established morphological and functional standards, consolidating the breed’s purity and promoting its growth through Ferias Equinas, Colombia’s national gait horse events.
Today, the Trocha Pura Colombiana is widely bred across Colombia, particularly in Cundinamarca, Antioquia, and Boyacá. It has become a cultural and sporting icon, symbolizing Colombia’s expertise in functional equine selection. Breeders continue to preserve its four-beat diagonal gait, while improving fertility and genetic diversity within the population.
A genetic study conducted by the University of Uppsala identified the partial presence of the DMRT3 gene, responsible for specialized gaits. This finding confirms the unique genetic foundation of the Trocha Pura and its scientific significance in the study of gaited breeds.
The Trocha Pura Colombiana is known for its energetic and expressive nature, inherited from its Andalusian and Paso Fino ancestry. It is a lively horse, with nervous but rhythmic movement, showing natural reactivity and precision. Despite this vitality, it remains highly trainable and docile when handled with patience and consistency.
Very attentive to its rider, the Trocha Pura Colombiana builds a strong bond of trust. It responds sensitively to cues and seeks cooperation rather than confrontation. This makes it an excellent partner for experienced riders capable of channeling its energy effectively.
Under saddle, it is steady, focused, and brave, traits ideal for the mountainous terrain of Colombia. In gait competitions, it is admired for its proud and expressive demeanor, while remaining consistent in performance. It also has strong mental endurance, maintaining rhythm and balance even in long or repetitive training.
The Trocha Pura Colombiana embodies a harmonious balance, sensitive enough for precise gait work, yet calm enough for reliability outdoors. This blend of spirit, docility, and intelligence makes it both a technical and endearing horse, valued for show and daily riding alike.
“Proud as the Paso, spirited as the mountain, the Trocha Pura Colombiana dances to the rhythm of the Andean heart.”
The Trocha Pura Colombiana is enjoying a surge in national popularity, largely thanks to the success of Ferias Equinas and gait competitions. Colombian breeders, supported by CORPOICA and regional associations, are working to standardize morphological and functional criteria to ensure international recognition. This movement is encouraging the rise of a structured equine sector focused on breeding, training, and equestrian tourism.
Although still rare outside Colombia, the Trocha Pura is gaining interest in South and North America, where riders appreciate comfortable, expressive gaited horses. This trend could lead to cross-border breeding programs, increasing the breed’s visibility and genetic diversity.
The breed’s future depends on a careful management of inbreeding and the improvement of fertility, two known weak points identified by CORPOICA. Breeders must balance selection for gait performance with reproductive health and genetic diversity. Incorporating scientific research (notably on the DMRT3 gene) and modern breeding practices could ensure the breed’s long-term stability.
The Trocha Pura Colombiana stands as a living symbol of Colombia’s equine heritage, much like the Paso Fino. Its cultural, sporting, and national value guarantees its continued importance, provided that conservation and promotion efforts persist.
The Trocha Pura Colombiana is a robust breed, well adapted to tropical climates and mountainous terrain. Its Iberian heritage gives it strong muscles and tendons and natural endurance. However, breeders have reported low fertility rates and reduced foal survival, likely caused by intensive selection for gait performance over reproductive soundness.
Because of its light frame and small, compact feet, this breed can show hoof sensitivity when worked on very hard or rocky ground. Given its demanding diagonal gait, regular tendon and joint monitoring especially of the hind limbs, is recommended to avoid fatigue or strain.
No specific hereditary diseases are documented in the CORPOICA stud-book or FAO DAD-IS database. The breed shows strong natural immunity, thanks to selection under challenging environmental conditions. The most common issues involve nutrition or competition-related stress, rather than true genetic weaknesses.
Colombian breeders are focusing on increasing genetic diversity and reducing inbreeding to stabilize the breed’s health. A balanced breeding strategy, considering both gait performance and biological vitality, is essential to ensure the Trocha Pura Colombiana’s long-term sustainability.
It resembles the trot, but the diagonal beats are dissociated (not simultaneous). Each limb touches the ground separately, producing a regular four-beat rhythm : tac-tac-tac-tac.
There is no suspension phase, which distinguishes it from the classical trot.
