American Cream Draft Stallion (Horse Country by CollectA)

I have to thank Happy Hen Toys for sending me this gorgeous specimen to review! CollectA released this unique model of an American Cream Draft stallion back in 2019 with the item #88846. As a standalone figure it is gorgeous and completely unique (even 6ish years later at the time of this writing), but it is nicely sculpted and would present a wonderful new model for any collector of equids. And with this preamble done with, lets dive into this most unique of American breeds!

The American Cream Draft is a very unique horse characterized by its coloration. This color is described as cream or “gold champagne” by horse enthusiasts and is a rare color for any horse. Developed in the early 20^th century from a single horse named Old Granny; she was likely foaled between 1900 and 1905 in Iowa. Her breeding to this day is a mystery, but her foals became popular as they often carried her unique coat color and also passed those genes on themselves. The traits of the foundation mare (her cream-colored coat, pink skin, and amber eyes) became the defining standard for the breed- the color was later named “gold champagne”. A breed registration wasn’t formed until 1944, and by 1946 98% of the horses registered could be traced back to Old Granny herself. During the Great Depression in the US the breed was developed; a time period fraught with danger given the economic times at hand- some horses had to be hidden in order to not be confiscated and sold at auction to pay for debts owed. By the 1950s the breed was recognized by the Iowa Department of Agriculture. The mechanization of farming also threatened this breed- by the late 1950s there were only 200 horses registered as owned by 41 breeders. The registry stagnated for decades, and it wasn’t until 1982 when three families reactivated and reorganized the registry. Today, it is still a critically endangered breed as there are so very few of these unique animals left (only about 500).

The breed itself 100% draft- recent genetic testing shows a handful of breeds in its history including Belgians, Shires, Haflingers, and Percherons. They have refined heads with a flat profile (concave and convex profiles are not allowed). They have wide chests and sloping shoulders, short and strong backs characteristic of draft breeds. Well-muscled and well-proportioned limbs help them get their momentum for their primary job. The breed is calm and willing to be put to work- this makes them easy to care for and work with for first time draft owners. On average they stand at about 16 hands and can weigh 1,800lbs or more. The so called “champagne” gene is what makes the horse so unique and it can present in a few shades lighter or darker. The gene is the active ingredient that acts on a chestnut coat; it is a dominant trait mutation and was genetically mapped in 2008. To this day the breed does not carry the typical equine “cream” gene even though the color is described as such. There must be amber eyes, and a white mane and tail with pink skin to be registerable. Any horse that is halfblooded or doesn’t quite meet the registry standards can be registered in the “appendix registry” which helps to diversify the blood lines and continue to keep the breed alive.

And now for the figure itself: CollectA’s figure is a stallion moving at a fast-trotting motion. He has a flowing mane and tail behind him; the former as completely white and the latter tapering to a darker chestnut color. His head is turned slightly to the left and shows the flat profile that is correct for the breed standard and has his ears pricked forward, forelock split in half and trailing past his ears on either side with his speed. His left foreleg is lifted and shows the muscle of the shoulder, each foot ending in the broad hooves of a drafter with minimal feathering. He has wide haunches and narrow, sloping shoulders that were bred to take a harness and work for hours. Overall, the sculptor did a phenomenal job of paying attention to this breed’s quirks amongst the more typical draft breeds out there and created a model full of elegance and strength.

Again, thank you to Happy Hen Toys for providing this sample product to review. If you are interested in it or other models similar you can find them on their website!