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The Only Breed of Draft Horses Originated in America
THE AMERICAN CREAM DRAFT HORSE
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Origination Where did the American Cream originate? This is the question most frequently asked by
those seeing them for the first time. We point with pride to the fact that the American
Cream Draft Horse is the only draft horse originated and recognized as a breed
in the Unites States. Our breed descended from a draft-type mare with an
outstanding cream color. This mare of
unknown ancestry was located in Central Iowa during the early part of the
twentieth century. She has left her
stamp on the horse world as the founder of a breed of horses distinctly and
consistently resembling her in color and type.
By mating her offspring to other well-known draft breeds, the type and
quality have been improved while the color has been maintained. From the first, they were admired by all who saw them. It was not until approximately 1935 that any special effort was put forth to make a distinct breed of them. At that time, a few foresighted men began line breeding and inbreeding with the hopes of establishing a new draft breed.
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Description The American Cream horse is strictly of draft breeding
and must not be confused with palominos or other light breeds. Our records, tracing back to the beginning of
the twentieth century, do not indicate any other than draft breeding. Breed Standards for American Cream Draft horses call
for light, medium or dark cream color on pink skin, white mane and tail, and
amber or hazel eyes. Foal’s eyes are
almost white the first year. White
markings on face and legs are desirable.
Creams have long manes and tails, and tails are not docked. Mature (five years) height and weight of females is 15
to 16 hands and 1500 to 1600 pounds.
Mature height and weight of mails (five years) is sixteen to
sixteen-three hands and 1800 pounds and up. Creams exhibit a refined head, well proportioned to
body with wide-set, large, intelligent eyes, small expressive ears and flat
nose profile. They are short-coupled with
well-muscled hindquarters, wide chest, good sloping shoulders, short, strong
back; deep throughout the heart girth, ribs well sprung, good strong legs in
proportion to body set wide apart with strong, sure feet. Their movement is smooth and easy, picking up feet and setting squarely on the ground. Their temperament is best described as amiable, easy going, willing, ready to please, and trustworthy.
H-n-J’s Queen #338 and H-n-J’s Betsy #339
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Vonda Farms – Dawn #376, Cream #391 and Sugar #392
On the recommendation of D. Phillip Sponenberg, DVM,
PHD, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine and Chair of
Technical Panel, American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC), Cream-bred foals
that do not meet the Breed Standards are being ‘tracked’. They will be serviced to Creams which we
believe will strengthen rather than dilute the cream genes and enable the
numbers to increase more rapidly. Until such time as the books are closed to outside
breeding, a Cream mare with dark skin and light mane and tail will be accepted
for foundation stock. Stallions must,
however, have pink skin and white mane and tail to be accepted for
registration.
JD’s Cassie #420 and JD’s Candy #421
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The Association In the Spring of 1944, a group of interested breeders
met in Iowa Falls, Iowa, and laid plans for forming the American Cream Horse
Association of America. Directors and
officers were elected and negotiations to obtain a charter were begun. On July 11, 1944, the charter was granted by
the State of Iowa. Under this charter,
registrations and transfer were made. In November, 1948, we were recommended for recognition
by the National Stallion Enrollment Board.
On February 15, 1950, we were recognized as standard by the Iowa
Department of Agriculture. This gives us
al the privileges granted to older established breeds in the State. Following the untimely death of the President, C.T.
Rierson, in 1957, registrations and transfers steadily declined. By-Laws in effect at that time stated that
after five years no animal would be registered unless both sire and dam were
Registered American Creams. Applications
for registrations fail to verify that the ruling ever went into effect. In 1982, three member families and the Secretary met
to re-organize. It was voted to continue
to allow females with dark skin to be registered while retaining the ruling
that stallions must have pink skin. In July 1994, Re-stated Articles of Incorporation
resulted in the name change to The American Cream Draft Horse Association. Since reorganization, 270 animals have been registered
with 235 known to be alive. 107 persons
have become members with 77 now enjoying membership and owning American Cream
Draft horses.
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The members have pledge themselves to develop and
improve, by careful study and breeding, the breed of horses known as the
American Cream Draft horse and to make and preserve accurate records of the
breeding and ancestry of these horses. In an effort to obtain these goals, the Herd Book has
been made available without cost to the members. It is updated semi-annually through the Cream
Newsletter and is available on the Web Site,
http://www.americancreamdraft.org. The email address is
americancreamdraft@usa.net. Each American Cream horse, owned by a member
and eligible for registration, must first be registered, and if sold, transferred
to the new owner. To improve communications among the membership and to
keep abreast of new developments, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation of
Williamsburg, Virginia, underwrites the cost of publishing and mailing the
American Cream Newsletter to members and to the National Sporting Library. A member of the Association, assisting in the
Coach & Livestock Division of the Foundation, is the editor.
Jumper’s Molly B #327
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JD’s Cassie #420 and JD’s Candy #421 As word of the breed having been placed on the
“endangered breeds” list surfaced, owners and breeders accepted the challenge
to come together as an association and replenish the numbers of this great
American Cream Draft horse. Blood testing has established that, compared with
other draft breeds and based upon gene marker data, the American Creams form a
distinct group with the draft horses. The Association has put in place regulation for
Artificial Insemination and also Embryo Transfer and the registration of foals
resulting from these services. Two
members on the West Coast are offering A.I. Guidelines for showing American Creams have been
developed and several shows have made classes where the Creams may compete. Youth of member families are encouraged to apply for
enrollment in Youth Draft Horse Clinics where train is taught which is not
available to them locally.
Beattie’s Dolly #226, Daffy #227, Judy #270,
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AMERICAN CREAM DRAFT HORSE ASSOCIATION Nancy Lively, Secretary 2065 Noble Avenue Charles City, IA 50616-9108
Beauty #316, Miss Lucky #330 and Dan #288
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