American Cream Draft Horse
Equus caballus caballus American_cream_draft

Description: The American Cream is a rare breed of draft horse. It has pink skin, which produces a cream-colored coat and mane. Foals are born with blue eyes that eventually turn to amber.

Size: The American Cream is considered to be a medium sized draft horse, standing approximately 15–16 hands (5’–5’4”) high at the withers (shoulders). Males range in weight from 1800-2000 pounds, with females weighing around 1700 pounds.

Individual animal information: Jupiter was born in 2007 at the farm of an American Cream Draft Horse breeder in Iowa. He was acquired by Cosley Zoo in 2009.

Adaptations:As prey animals, horses have many features that help them to protect themselves.

• Their large eyes are set on the side of their heads so they can see nearly all the way around their bodies.
• Their ears swivel separately so they can determine the exact location of a sound. w
• Horses’ strong legs enable them to run very quickly to escape predators.

Diet: Jupiter’s diet consists of grain and hay.

Reproduction: Horses have an 11-month gestation period, after which they give birth to one foal (baby horse). Twins are rare and undesirable due to their weakness and smaller size.

Shelter and space needs: Although they can tolerate cold weather fairly well, horses do need shelter from the wind and rain. During the day, Jupiter shares an outdoor yard with Pro, our Shetland Pony. Each evening he is led into his stall inside the barn, where he spends the night. Jupiter is only brought indoors during the day in the case of extreme weather conditions such as rain or lightning.

Life expectancy: Horses can live to be up to 30 years old, with an average life expectancy of 20-25 years.

Relationship to man:Originally used as a farm animal, the American Cream is generally used for a companion horse today. However, it is still used to do farm work in areas where machinery cannot be used.

Fun Facts:

• The height of a horse is measured in hands. Originally a “hand” was equal to the width of a human hand, but has since been standardized and one hand is now equal to four inches.
  
  
• The American Cream Draft Horse is the only breed to originate in the United States. It was developed in Iowa and dates back to 1911. It was officially recognized as a breed in 1948. Because of the small number of true American Creams in existence today, the breed is listed as critically endangered by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.
  
  
• A healthy foal can stand up within one hour of being born.
  
  
• Not all horses wear shoes!  Shoes are only necessary to protect the feet of horses that often walk on hard surfaces. Jupiter does not wear shoes, but he does have his hooves trimmed several times a year by a farrier.