American Harness (Cream) Horse

The American Draft Horse (also called the American Cream) is the only draft horse bred in the United States. The breed originated from a very rare cream colored draft mare. As a rule, American cream horses are very docile and docile, easy to train and train.

The Old Granny (the first registered American draft horse) appeared at a farm auction in 1911. Almost nothing is known about her exact origin, other than the fact that her ancestors were definitely draft horses. It was acquired by the famous cattle dealer Harry Luckin and produced several cream-colored foals on his farm, which were sold for a considerable sum. Eric Christian, a local veterinarian, was struck by the beauty of her offspring and convinced the Nelson brothers to leave one of her offspring to serve as a breeding ground. The stallion Nelson Buck is considered the founder of this breed.

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In 1944, the American Cream Horse Association was founded. And in 1950, the breed was finally recognized by the Iowa Department of Agriculture, when about 200 representatives of this breed were already registered in the pedigree book.

Snow white color is the main characteristic of American cream horses. There are two classes of this breed: the first - cream - is divided into four types (A, B, C, D), the second - white (W). Type A: body white with a shade of ivory, white or snow-white mane, blue eyes, pinkish skin. In individuals of type B, the body is creamy, the mane is darker than the body, the eyes are dark, more often amber. Representatives of type C are individuals with a body and mane of the same pale cream color, blue eyes and pinkish skin. For individuals of type D, the body and mane of the same dirty-cream shade, blue eyes, and pinkish skin are characteristic. Type W includes those with pinkish skin and an absolute absence of pigment.

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Amber colored eyes are another distinctive feature of the breed. Interestingly, foals are born with white eyes, they darken with age and become amber in color by maturity.

The height of American cream horse stallions reaches 163-170 cm, weight 820 kg and more. The height of the mares is 152-163 cm, weight is 680-730 kg. Horses of this breed have a broad chest, sloping shoulders and a short, strong back.

This breed is classified as a medium-draft horse with light and free movement. The cream horse is widespread mainly in North America, in other regions only imported individuals and their descendants are found.

American cream horses have a hereditary disease epidermolysis bullosa (DEB). This is a genetic disease characterized by the formation of blisters and erosions on the skin and mucous membranes, skin vulnerability and sensitivity to minor mechanical trauma.