Horse Illustrated Magazine

The American Cream Draft

Profile:
Nearly 98 percent of all American Cream Draft horses have the blood of an Iowan cream colored draft-type mare called Old Granny, who was born at the turn of the 20th century. Her beauty and unique coat coloring prompted breeders in the area to try to create a breed of cream-colored draft horses. Although Percheron, Shire and Belgian blood was later incorporated into the breed, blood typing has shown the Creams are a distinct group of horses and not simply a color breed. Although tractors have replaced horse power on the farm, the American Cream Draft and other draft horses are still used for hobby farming, logging, driving and hay rides. Some are also ridden.

Characteristics:
All horses are cream colored with white manes and tails and other white markings, as well as pink skin. Foals are born with almost white eyes and as the animal ages the eyes become amber colored. Height ranges from 15.1 to 16.3 hands high.

For more information:
The American Cream Draft Horse Association, www.acdha.org