(EST status listings reflect the Equus Survival Trust's current web-posted Equine Conservation List.)



American Cream Draft - USA
EST Status: CRITICAL
The American Cream Draft is the only historic draft breed developed in America that has survived. The breed originates with a draft mare in Iowa in 1902 simply called Old Granny who consistently stamped her foals with her creamy coat and amber eyes. By 1935 a man named C.T. Rierson led a movement with other farmers to establish the descendants of old Granny into a breed that resulted in the formation of a breed association by 1944. The American Cream Draft has been DNA typed strictly as a draft breed in its own right, but the most noticeable trait of the American Cream Draft is its creamy coat. The skin is pink, manes and tails are usually white (and never docked), the eyes are amber/hazel colored, and a host of white markings are common. DNA color testing in the last decade reveals the ideal color genetics for the ACDH is not a palomino (chestnut with a single cream gene); it's a chestnut and a single or double champagne gene. American Cream Drafts are considered a medium heavy-draft, ranging from 15 to 16.3 hands and weighing between 1500 to 2000 pounds with a marked gender difference. They typically have a more refined head than other drafts: a flat profile, wide forehead, smaller muzzle, and tiny ears. They have well muscled chests, with a compact build that nevertheless is longer than they are tall to execute their draft power. Temperament is easily one of their best qualities - quiet, amiable, and willing to partner in work. More than a decade ago, in an effort to increase numbers quickly, the registry created a grading-up program allowing most draft breeds as outside sources. The results of this program are not having the desired effect as it is not mandatory for participants to be screened for breed traits, genetic diseases, or proper color genes. This has put the breed in additional jeopardy for protecting its heritage traits and genetic health. The current global population is less than 450, of which 99% are in the USA; how many of those have grading-up bloodlines is undetermined at this time.



English Shire - ENGLAND
EST Status: THREATENED
Hailed as the tallest of the draft breeds, the roots of the English Shire are entwined with the "Great Horse" of Europe's medieval period crossed on 13th century Flemish stallions that produced the Lincolinshire Heavy Black. This was to become the English Shire by the mid to late 1700's. Traditionally used on farms, logging, for merchant transport, and in wars (that exacted a terrible loss in both World Wars followed by loss of jobs with the rise of mechanization) today's Shires still have use on farms but are increasingly changing away from traditional type to meet the leaner, long-legged, animated hitch horse show ring fashions. While this has gained Shires a slow recovery in numbers in a new market, the loss of original type is a concern. Some of this change was due to crossbreeding in the 50's and 60's with the Scottish Clydesdale a breed that was already selecting for longer legged, taller, and more animated types. This crossbreeding to the Clydesdale in particular changed Shire feathering from coarse hair to silky. Traditional Shires average 17.2 hands or more in height, weighing in well over a ton. Colors are bay or black, but there are greys and a few rare browns. A good Shire exudes strength, power, and calm substance, with a classic Roman head. White markings are more prevalent than in times past. Docked tails are illegal in England and not as commonly seen in America as in the past. Current global populations are located primarily in Europe and North America.



Scottish Clydesdale - SCOTLAND
EST Status: VULNERABLE/THREATENED
Hailing originally from Scotland, the foundation stock for the Clydesdale was Dutch/Flemish stallions crossed on local mares. In their heyday, thousands of Clydesdales were exported in the 19th and early 20th centuries from Britain, particularly to Australia where they became known as the "breed who built Australia". Once among the smallest of the drafts, a trend began in the 1920's, popularized by the Budweiser beer company's Clydesdale hitches, to reinvent the breed to select for taller horses with 4 white stockings and full blazes for parades and hitch shows. Today's Clydesdale still has the trademark Roman head and silky feather, but the breed is now among the tallest of the drafts, with hitch stallions averaging 18 hands standing on tall legs, but only weighing in on average at 1800 pound. Bay sabinos with full stockings (often with roaning patterns) are the most common color today, with grey, black, and chestnut. Most breeders are producing less working Clydesdale types in favor of show hitch types who are more animated and flashier for shows, parades, and ceremonies of state. Global populations have been difficult to ascertain and are thought to be around 5000 to 6000 worldwide with roughly two thirds or more of those in the North America.



Suffolk Punch - ENGLAND
EST Status: CRITICAL
The "bull dog" of the draft world, the stocky Suffolk Punch originating in Suffolk, England in the 1500's is built for power and the only draft breed developed exclusively for work on the farm instead of transport, which also makes them superior for logging. Because the Suffolk continues to do the work it was designed for, the breed retains all of its strength, stamina, easy-keeper qualities, disposition, and work ethic. Suffolks were imported to North America in the mid- to late 1800s and did very well until farm mechanization displaced them, particularly following WW II. The breed declined and came seriously close to extinction in the 1950s. Suffolks are always chesnut in color (note the traditional spelling without the 't') in one of seven recognized shades ranging from light golden to dark liver. White markings are rarely seen in the breed. Standing 15-17 hands and averaging 1800 to 2000 pounds, Suffolks are round and stout in appearance with short, strong, well developed limbs, short backs, and powerful hindquarters. The breed is traditionally an easy keeper for a draft breed, hearty, very willing of heart, and has a long working life. Global populations are hitting extreme critical levels in its homeland UK (less than 300) and a dire handful in Australia. North America is holding slow and steady, though critical, at around 600 with a dedicated group of breeders still working their Suffolks in farm and logging.

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