Cremello Horse: Learn More About These Rare & Stunning Steeds

If horses exist in paradise — and what kind of paradise would it really be without any horses — we'd wager that the majority of them are cremellos. Unique and elegant with a pinch of inherent nobility to its appearance, the cremello horse undoubtedly stands out among its equine peers as a thing of beauty.

 

These extraordinary horses are recognized worldwide for their elegant cream color, blue eyes, white mane and tail, and lack of marks. But did you know that, contrary to popular belief, the cremello is not a distinct breed bay horse, but rather a color that you can find on horses of any breed? This article will go into everything you need to know about these majestic equine steeds. Continue reading to learn more!

 

 

What is a Cremello Horse?

The cremello horse is a stunningly unique and rare equine, characterized by its pure cream-colored coat, its pink skin and blue, mesmerizing eyes. These graceful steeds often appear otherworldly, with their rosy pink skin and white mane and tail giving them an almost ethereal quality, reminiscent of a mythical unicorn.

 

The term "cremello" primarily refers to this specific color and appearance, but to be a true cremello horse, a horse must possess all these distinctive physical traits. The color of a cremello can range from pale white to a delicate pale gold, often shimmering in the sunlight, further adding to their allure.

 

What many people don’t realize is that cremello horses actually have a chestnut base coat. This underlying chestnut color is dramatically altered by the cream dilution gene, also known as the creme gene, which is the dominant gene responsible for the horse's light coat color. This double dilute effect occurs when the horse carries two copies of the cream gene, one from each parent, which reduces the chestnut base to a creamy white or golden coat.

 

In terms of horse genetics, the cremello's unique coloration is the result of the single cream gene dilution acting on a chestnut base coat. The presence of two cream genes in the gene pair (often referred to as double dilutes) totally masks the chestnut color, leading to the characteristic cream coat and pale gold variations seen in these horses. This genetic combination also affects the horse's skin and eye color, resulting in the pink skin, gold coat and pale blue eyes that are so characteristic of the cremello.

 

Cremello horses are often mistaken for albino horses, but it is important to note that they are not true albinos. Unlike albino animals, which completely lack pigment, cremellos possess black pigment in certain areas like the hooves and skin, though it is greatly diminished. Their unique genetic makeup makes them one of the most distinctive and beautiful horses in the world.

 

 

Are Cremello Colored Horses Rare?

It can be difficult to tell precisely when cremello horses entered the arena. Still, we can assume it was long before recorded history. Cremello horses are considerably rare, so unearthing the truth behind the myths has proven to be quite the challenge. Cremello horses also do not change their coat color at any stage of their life. Because of this, they are considered by many to be the rarest white horses in the world.

 

 

 

What Do Cremello Horses Look Like?

Cremello horses are known for their white mane and tail, rosy pink skin, and spectacular pale blue eyes. When among the more common dark-colored horse breeds, the cremello will appear as a relatively bright white. But when surrounded by truly white albino horses, their coat will accurately appear more creamy in comparison. These horses are generally compact, lean, and extremely attractive. Furthermore, the cremello horse can be easily identified by its strong limbs, arched neck, laid-back shoulders, well-defined withers, and expressive face.

 

 

Are Cremello Horses Hard to Care For?

Because a cremello isn't one particular breed, there are no health problems specifically tied to them. They will likely have whatever health issues typically affect whatever breed they come from. The standards of care for a cremello horse are no lower than those of a Clydesdale, a Shetland, or a Palomino. You still need to make sure your horse is on a proper diet and fully vaccinated. You should also follow all standard management practices to keep your horse as healthy as possible.

 

 

Do Cremello Horses Sunburn?

Light-colored horses, such as grays, Appaloosas, Paints, Pintos, and horses with bald faces are often susceptible to sunburn. Just as you have likely experienced, prolonged exposure to the sun without protection can lead to varying degrees of sunburn. A sunburn typically occurs on the muzzle and potentially around the eyes. Cremello and albino horses often get sunburned in other areas as well. Like sunburns on humans, the skin may blister or peel, turn red, and become sensitive to touch.

 

 

Common Horse Breeds with Cremello Coloring

The breeds most commonly used for creating cremellos include Quarter Horses, Shetland ponies, draft horses, and Saddlebreds. This is because all of these horses are "chestnuts," which carry the gene needed to create a cremello (often called "the cream gene").

 

 

 

Quarter Horse

The American Quarter Horse holds its spot as one of the oldest and most popular horse breeds in North America. This breed's reputation likely stems from its many positive qualities, including but not limited to:

 

• Gentle nature
• Versatility
• Beauty
• Speed
• Agility
• Loyalty

 

Quarter Horses are suitable for riders and owners of all levels, as they tend to be easy to train and friendly with people. The Quarter Horse has been used in ranch work, racing, and it is even a popular family pet. Quarter Horses have a sturdy build and come in many colors, with brownish-red being the most common.

 

 

Shetland Horse

If you learned to ride a horse as a kid, there's a relatively high chance that you started on the back of a Shetland pony. Strong and resilient creatures, farmers and various other labor workers use Shetland ponies to plow farmland and pull carts, among other jobs. While there's no disputing the cute factor of a tiny horse, don't be fooled.

 

These hardy little equine friends are often capable of outworking even the largest draft horse. They were often sent down into coal mines to help miners haul coal during the Industrial Revolution. They are also popular companions for children, thanks to their gentle disposition and inviting size. Although small, Shetlands are gentle, intelligent, strong, and can even be a bit wily!

 

 

Draft Horse

The draft horse (sometimes called a carthorse, workhorse, or heavy horse) is a large horse bred to do laborious tasks such as plowing and other farm labor. Draft breeds have varying characteristics, but all share a docile temperament, impressive patience, and truly magnificent strength. These features made them extremely capable workers that were nearly indispensable to several generations of pre-industrial farmers.

 

 

Draft horses are versatile creatures, still used today for various purposes, including recreation, logging, shows, farming, and more. They are also commonly used in crossbreeding to create warmblooded sport horses, especially light riding breeds such as the Thoroughbred. "Warmblood" simply means the horse shares characteristics of fiery racehorses (called "hot bloods") and calm heavy breeds ("cold bloods").

 

While the majority of draft horses are used for driving, nearly anyone can ride them. Some of the lighter draft breeds are quite capable as performers under the saddle.

 

 

Saddlebreds

High-stepping and elegant, the American Saddlebred maintains its reputation as the ultimate show horse. Saddlebreds are a spectacle of glamour and elegance while simultaneously remaining an intense athletic competitor. This breed regularly competes in the four divisions of the show ring:

 

• Pleasure
• Fine Harness
• Five-Gaited
• Three-Gaited

 

Owners groom their horses to perfection because each division has its own "look" that competitors strive to achieve. Fine harness, show pleasure, and five-gaited horses are typically exhibited with full tails and manes. People often show five-gaited horses with trimmed or roached manes to accentuate the animals' fine, long necks.

 

 

How Much Do Cremello Horses Cost?

Cremello horses are not only rare but in high demand. As expected, you will likely have to spend a pretty penny if you want to own one of these angelic equines. Still, the particular breed you have your eye on will determine the cremello's exact cost. For instance, a Quarter Horse filly could sell for as little as $2,700, while a Lusitano Mare could easily cost upwards of $18,000.

 

Other factors such as height, conformation, and pedigree may also influence the price of a cremello horse. To ensure that you receive a healthy animal, do your research and buy from a legitimate, reputable breeder.

 

 

 

What is the Difference Between a Perlino and Cremello Horse?

It is important for anyone in the market for a cremello horse to note that these equines are entirely different from perlino and albino horses. Without knowing what to look for, differentiating between these three animals can present a bit of a challenge. Due to their striking resemblance to the untrained eye, cremello, true albino horses, and perlino horses might as well be the same animal.

 

Nonetheless, they are remarkably different once you know what to look for. But, how do you differentiate cremellos from albinos and perlinos? The typical cremello horse sports a white tail and mane in addition to a solid, unmarked, cream-colored coat. Moreover, it has blue eyes and a pink nose, and its gold or cream color coat covers pink skin.

 

While their color differences might be minimal, you will notice that a perlino's tail and mane have a distinct reddish hue to them. While the cremello has two recessive genes and the perlino possess two cream genes, perlinos have a bay base color instead of the cremello's pink base color.

 

It is easy to confuse cremellos with albino horses. While people often cite their light coat colors, pink noses, and blue eyes when referring to a horse as an albino, albino horses are completely white due to their lack of pigment. However, eagle-eyed horse lovers will notice the cremello has a distinct cream shade to its coat, whereas the albino does not.

 

 

Final Thoughts - Cremello Horse

The cremello horse may very well be one of the most gorgeous horses you will ever lay eyes on. Majestic blue eyes, an off-white coat, and rosy pink skin make for an elegant and graceful creature that bears a striking resemblance to the beautiful steeds found in fairy tales. Cremello, perlino, and albino horses are nearly identical to each other, but identifying a cremello isn't too difficult once you know what to look for: its mane, tail, and coat are all the same color!

 

People often buy Cremello horses and raise them as show horses, almost like walking, prestigious trophies. But underneath that creamy off-white coat, these beautiful creatures are just regular horses that require the same amount of care, love, and attention, if not more. You may have to pay a pretty penny for such a rare colored horse, but it's worth every last cent.