The American Cream Draft

The American Cream Draft Horse is the only draft horse that originated in the United States. All American Creams are descended from a draft type mare named "Old Granny", a mare of unknown ancestry that was located in central Iowa during the early part of the twentieth century. She had an outstanding cream colour, and left her stamp in the horse world as the first of a breed of horses distinctly and consistently resembling "Old Granny" in colour and type. By mating her offspring to other well-known draft breeds, the type and quality has been improved while the colour has been maintained.
The ideal American Cream is a medium cream colour with white mane and tail, pink skin and amber coloured eyes. Some white markings are also very desirable. Pink skin is the determining factor in securing this rich cream colour. The horses vary little in colour throughout the year.

The amber eyes are also an unusual and distinguishing trait of the American Creams. The foals are born with nearly white eyes. In a short time they begin to darken and by maturity have turned to an amber colour.The American Cream draft horse may be classified as a medium-heavy draft type. The ideal mature weight of females is 1600 pounds and height of 15 - 16 hands. Ideal mature weight of sallions is 1800-2000 pounds and height of 16-16.3 hands. Characteristics of these horses are their good disposition, docility, uniformity, pleasing style and willingness to work.

It was in approximately 1935 that a special effort was put forth to make a distinct breed of the American Cream. At that time, a few people began line breeding and inbreeding with the hopes of establishing a new draft breed. Finally in 1944, a group of interested breeders met in

Iowa Falls, Iowa, and laid plans for forming the American Cream Draft Horse Association. Currently there are approximately 300 registered American Cream Draft Horses.

Written by Roxanne Runzer. - 2004 (c)

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