Phot-o' the Day: Woman Dances with Peruvian Paso Horse; Trujillo, Peru

Saturday is the day for horse pictures. This is a woman dancing with a horse.

And not just any horse. This is a Peruvian Paso Horse. Peruvian Pasos are renowned for their smooth gait. When you find yourself in Trujillo, Peru, and I do hope that someday you do, please go to the Peruvian Paso Horse Show on the outskirts of town.

Trujillo, Peru, is an awesome place to visit, perfect for several days of tourist fun. There are amazing, one-of-a-kind sights to see, including some of the absolute most important archaeological sites in the New World. The food is amazing (with some of the best ceviche on the planet found in nearby Huanchaco). Beautiful buildings. Cheap prices. It is a tourist mecca with everything ... except tourists. (Yes, there is far more to Peru than Machu Picchu.)

Visited April 2018.

This Post Is Full of Horse

Flesh.  This post is full of horse flesh.

I went to a horse show today.  La Exhibición de Caballo Peruano de Paso to be precise.  So this is full of horse pictures.  Including (spoiler alert) a dance-off between man and horse.

Meet the horses:

The Peruvian paso horse is known for its distinctive gait.

The smooth gait is bred into them.  It's not training.  To demonstrate the smooth gait, this caballero is riding while carrying a snifter of Pisco.

Very civilized.  This is the baby of the farm.

The horses do not age into show quality (muscle development) until the age of three.  This colt is two.

He is trained to eat alfalfa right out of your hand.

All with a distinctive smooth gait as he walks along the row of spectators.

Next, one of the adult horses engaged in a dance-off with one of the show dancers:

Everyone one's a winner when you're dancing with the horses.  Next up, it's ladies' choice:

Once again, everyone's a winner.  Although, I must say the horse danced like he had two left feet,  Which he did!  (I slay me.)

The finale?  A salute to Peru!

And I joined in.

Afterwards, the stars of the show hung around to greet their fans.

The one in the front?  With the short mane?  The crew cut means the horse has been gelded.

He is quite the camera hog, however, always knowing where the lens is pointing.

I will add, for the benefit of those of you legitimately concerned about the animals in animals acts, especially animal acts in foreign countries, these horses appeared to be healthy, happy, and well cared for.

And with that, it's time to head back into the barn.

Sorry there's no video to upload, but I only shoot still, not video (not enough on my memory card even if I were so inclined).  But here's a youtube video showing this distinctive gait of the Peruvian paso horse.