Saving an American Original

"The breed was almost wiped out during the ‘Great Killings,’ about 1935 to 1965," Rogalski says. "The Ford Motor Company began producing tractors and would take a team of draft horses as a down payment. They sold the better horses in Canada, but unfortunately the rest were put down. Ford and John Deere quit making horse drawn equipment, forcing horse people to go to tractors."

As a result the small population of American Creams dwindled. A few Cream enthusiasts held onto their animals, safeguarding a scant genetic base. Thankfully, in 1977 the American Minor Breeds Conservancy was founded with the purpose of reviving interest in rare horse breeds. The organization listed the American Cream as "endangered," and Cream owners took up the challenge to replenish the breed. Their rally also rejuvenated the rather inactive ACDHA. In 1982, the association reorganized the society and dusted off its registration books.

Dedicated breeders who praise American Creams for their beauty, conformation, disposition, breezy movement — and Rogalski would certainly add hairy feet — signal a bright future for the animals. For his part, Rogalski is selling last year’s foals, Bebe, Bow and Buffy. "It’s hard to part with them after raising and caring for them. I hate to see them leave, but I can’t keep them. I remind myself that my purpose is to help the breed, and I can’t do it alone."