Cloning tends to stirrup the emotions. Cloning tends to stirrup the emotions.

Cloning had always been a subject of science-fiction novels, that is, until 1996 when Dolly the sheep, the world’s very first clone was born. When it was realized that this was possible with a sheep, more and more organizations began to experiment with other animals. All over the world, the science was being refined and practiced; the possibilities seemed endless. It was not long until the equine industry jumped on the bandwagon as well.

In 2002 at the Laboratory of Reproductive Technology  located in Cremona, Italy, 841 embryos were harvested from Prometea, a Halflinger mare. Of the 841, 14 were implanted and only one was a successful birth- by Prometea herself.  Shortly after, this process was replicated with mules at the Northwest Equine Laboratory at the University of Idaho, a remarkable feat considering the sterility of mules. One of the most prominent research facilities to join the trend was Texas A&M University. They quickly joined forces with ViaGen, a private company with whom they still work closely. Their first major accomplishment and a landmark in the industry’s involvement with this science was the cloning of Cutting Triple Crown Winner, Smart Little Lena. Not only one, but five Lena clones were successfully foaled.

While this new technology seemed to hold promise for the industry, the enthusiasm was not entirely widespread. Many breed organizations that pride themselves on superb breeding and pure bloodlines prohibited the cloning of their horses. These organizations include The Appaloosa Horse Club, Lipizzan Federation, The Friesian Horse Society, World Arabian Horse Organization, American Morgan Horse Association, and ironically enough the American Haflinger Registry; a organization for the breed that made equine cloning a reality. Though there are undeniable benefits to the ability to replicate on demand a perfect pool of genes, the controversy became an issue of fairness in many realms of the equine world. Cloning may be able to create the twin your pony never had, but as it is with all siblings, they can often disagree…