Old Granny' the first known American Cream, appeared at a farm sale in Story County, Iowa, in 1911. A veterinarian, Eric Christian, was very much attracted by the beauty of her foals and persuaded Nelson Bros. of Jewell, Iowa, to keep a colt, Nelson's Buck, for a stallion, and create a new breed of horses having rich cream color. The ideal American Cream is a medium cream color with white mane and tail, pink skin and amber eyes.
Pink skin is the determining factor in the rich cream color.
The amber eyes are an unusual and distinguishing trait. The colts are foaled with nearly white eyes. In a short time, they begin to darken and by maturity have turned to an amber color. Good disposition, ease in handling, trustworthiness, as well as uniformity in color and type, are uniquely characteristic of this breed. The American Cream Draft horse is classified as a medium-heavy draft type.