Do you think that all white or cream-colored horses exist in fairy tales only? Well, No fairy tales do have a touch of reality and that is all white or cream-coloured horses. Though these creamy white-colored horses are quite rare, they do exist by the name “Cremello horses”.
In this article today, we would be discussing everything you need to know about Cremello horses. I would specifically be enlightening my readers on their appearance, health issues, cost, history, life span, and some facts about these majestic Cremello horses. But first I need to confess how the idea of discussing Cremello horses here hit my mind.
As my readers know my love and admiration for horses is never going to end. To get to know more about this nature’s art piece, I usually spend my Sundays researching and reading about horses and their breeds.
This Sunday went by reading and researching Cremello horses as a horse keeper a few streets away has just brought this unique majestic beauty home. Since his Cremello horse, who he named Liam, has hit the barn, it has become the talk of the town.
As a horse admirer, I was quite interested to know about this spectacularly beautiful horse as well so I paid a visit to his barn. For a few seconds, I was astonished by the Cremello horse’s appearance. The barn owner patted my back and asked me to join in for a tea. I asked him about this unusual creamy horse and later spent a day researching and clearing my doubts.
Now that I have got enough information to speak about it confidently, here I am. Let’s not beat about the bush and discuss what you need to know to admire this beauty.
History of Cremello Horse
It’s hard to tell when exactly Cremello horses started existing, probably long ago when the idea of maintaining history didn’t hit the man’s mind. How unfortunate is it that the history books are silent and doubtful about these majestic horses? To sprinkle salt to the wounds, Cremello horses are quite rare, so finding the truth about the myths circulating among us is also hard. However, we can say with utmost surety that Cremello is the outcome of creme gene breeding.
Appearance of Cremello
Cremello horses have got spectacular pale blue eyes, rosy pink skin, and white mane and tail. The white mane and tail distinguish Cremello from Pelomino horses.
Cremello looks more whitish among the regular horse breeds but in all white horses, they appear more creamy. Except for the majestic creamy white color, they are compact, skinny, and super attractive.
Moreover, the Cremello horse can be identified by its expressive face, well-defined withers, laid back shoulders, arched neck, and strong limbs.
The Cremello horses are considered the rarest white horses that do not change their coat color at any stage of their life.
Cremello are Show Horses
Generally, because of their rarest coat colour, versatility, and manoeuvrability, Cremello horses are kept and raised as an ornament. Cremello is a regular horse that can be used for any purpose but because of their unusual spectacular coat colour, they are mostly raised for parades, ranching, shows, rodeos, fiestas, etc. Besides these above-mentioned purposes, the horse admirers keep Cremello horses for pleasure riding.
How much Cost Cremello Cost?
As you can judge from the word “rare” that this horse breed is not inexpensive to get and raise at all. Since they have got the looks, Cremello horses can only be bought for a price of around $10,000 to $35000. If this exceptional breed had characteristics similar to thoroughbred horses, I bet it would have been impossible for an ordinary man to get a Cremello horse for his barn.
Lifespan
Since under the fancy coat, they are super identical to the regular horse breeds. So, the average lifespan of the Cremello horse is up to 30 years. Some exceptionally well-raised Cremello horses have been recorded to live up to 40 years as well, but not every well-raised cremello horse has made it to 40.
Health issues in Cremello Breeds
Unlike the regular horse breeds, Cremello horses are sensitive to the sun. They can not tolerate the sun for more than one to two hours without sun protection. However, they do fine with sunblock on. Other than the sunburn issue, cremello horses face the same health issues(arthritis, laminitis, colic, desmitis, gastric ulcers, back pain) that other show horses normally do.
Nutritional needs
As mentioned above, they can either be kept as an ornament or as a performing horse. Besides basic grass and hay, their nutritional requirements depend on the purpose they are kept for. If they are being raised as a show animal, their diet is rich in fats, protein, fiber, and starch. To fulfill the nutritional needs, with feeding grass or hay these show horses are also fed corn, oats, grains, and barley
Facts about Cremello Horse
There is much more than just appearance, history, use, and nutritional needs so let’s see what else my readers don’t know about this unusual horse called “cremello”
It’s not a breed, but a color
A lot of us and even several horse keeps are seen addressing it as a breed but in fact, it is just a colour. Quarter horses, shetland ponies, draft horses, and saddlebreds can also get this colour. So, it’s totally wrong to address it as a white colour breed. The true white color breeds are; Lipizzan, Connemara, Camargue, Boulonnais, and Shagya Arabian.
Cremello horse is identified from mane and tail
Cremello and palominos are quite identical, they have got creamy white coats, blue eyes, and rosy pink skin. They can only be identified by the mane and tail. The Cremellos horse’s mane and tail are usually as creamy as the rest of the body whereas the Palominos mane and tail are more little darker in colour.
Cremello and Albino horses look nearly similar
Cremello is often compared to Palominos because they look identical but actually Cremello look more similar to Albino horses. The only difference in their appearance is that Cremello horses are more creamy whereas the Albino horses are more whitish.
Cremello horses have got no markings
The coat of the Cremello horse is evenly creamy with no hint of markings. The absence of markings makes the horses more unique and admirable.
Cremello horses do not carry any specific genetic issue like eye problem
Majority of horse admirers associate eye, blood clotting, and hearing problems with Cremello horses. In reality, Cremello horses have got no such genetic issues or defects.
Wondering how did this big misconception arise then? It’s because Palominos (that are super identical to Cremello horses )are reported to have such genetic issues. The horse admirers who fail to identify that it’s Palominos, not Cremello who have got the issues are “actually” the reason for this misconception.
Cremello horses do not change their coat color
Unlike grey horses, Cremello horses are born creamy and remain creamy till their last breath. The other lighter color horses are normally born darker and they keep changing their coat color until it gets lightest enough to be called white. The Cremello horses are the exception as they stand by their color throughout their entire life.
Two Palominos crossing can produce a Cremello horse
Yes, you are reading it correctly two Palomino horses can produce a Cremello foal but the possibility of producing the said color is only 25%. Carmello foals, produced as a result of breeding two Palominos horses, are blue-eyed, all creamy white with no hints of markings.
Cremello horse’s eye color changes over time
The Cremello horses do change their eye color but not to the point that it becomes easily noticeable. The Cremello foals are born with darker eyes but as they age, their eyes tend to get lighter until they look creamy as well.
Cremello is bred only for its color
Not only Cremello but Palomino as well, have got no special characteristics except the majestic white and creamy colors. So, they were and are still being bred solely to get the creamy(Cremello) and whitish(Palomino) horses.
The off-white creamy color can appear in other horse breeds as well
Cremello horses are not the only horses that are admired for the off-white creamy color some other horse breeds can get a similar color as well. It’s rare for these breeds to develop such color but one in hundred horses do have this off-white creamy color. The horse breeds that can be blessed with similar colors are quarter horses, shetland ponies, draft horses, and saddlebreds.
How to care for a Cremello horse?
Who knows how many of my readers are planning to get a Cremellow ornament for their barn. So, they should know how to care for Cremello horses. The requirements of Cremello horses are quite similar to the regular horses if they are solely bought for the barn.
- The first thing that you should know is that the off-white creamy color gets duller earlier than the darker colors so the horse keeper has to be careful about the coat.
- The horse keeper has to be alert with the nutrients the horse takes in if he wants to take it to shows and parades. The feed of such horses should be enriched in protein, fiber, starch, and fats.
- Like the other show horses, they do require good horse-friendly housing, training to be able to take part in shows and parades.
- Cremello horses can tolerate cold but they are a little sensitive to sun and warmer climate. Sunblock is a must to save them from sunburn. The heat-resistant barns must be built to keep them sane in the scorching heat.
- They do not wear off their hooves, their hooves need trimming just as regular horses do. Even though they appear delicate, their hooves are as tough as the regular horses. So, their hooves should be trimmed every 2 months.
Now that you have been enlightened with the worth sharing information let’s move ahead and see what our fellas want to know about Cremello horses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cremello a horse breed?
Is Cremello a horse breed? Is a frequently asked question and the appropriate answer is that it’s just an offwhite-creamy color, not a breed that can hit any horse breed.
What genetic defects Cremello horses have?
Cremello horses are believed to have eye, blood clotting, and hearing issues. In reality, Cremello has never had such issues; it’s Palomino (that are super identical to Cremello horses) that has been punished with such genetic issues.
Are Cremello horses rare?
Yes, they are super rare. A lot of us might have never spotted them around us.
Do Cremello horses have sunscreen?
Yes, if they are required to spend more hours in the sun. Sunblock would not just save them from harmful sun rays but also heals irritation and blisters.
Where do Cremello horses find?
Cremello horses can be found or spotted in any town, city, country, or region. Cremello horses can not be associated with one country or region.
How do Cremello horses look?
Cremello horses are quite majestic in appearance. They have got rosy pink skin, blue eyes, creamy off-white coat with no markings.
Do Cremello horses have any eye problems?
No, it’s just a misconception Cremello horses do not have an eye problem. It’s Palomino horses that have got some issues with the eyes.
Summary
Cremello horse is not a horse breed but a colour that gets admired for its majestic blue eyes, off-white coat, and rosy pink skin. These rare off-white creamy horses look similar to the horses that exist in the fairy tales. Underneath the off-white creamy coat, Cremello horses are regular horses that require regular care.
They are often bought and raised as an ornament or a show or parade horses. Palomino, Albino, and Cremello horses are super identical to each other.
It’s not that hard to identify Cremello horse as it’s a coat, mane, and tail are all of the same colors, Palomino has got mane and tail darker, whereas the Albino is breathtakingly similar to Cremello horses except for the fact that they are enough white to be called white.
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