As you begin processing your own opinion on the issue of cloning, take a moment to look at some of the horses that have been produced by this technological advancement. Horse people today are using this technology with the belief that chromosomal DNA is the most powerful element to be considered in the performance horse world. We are now witnessing how cloning is challenging the way the equine communities understand genetics, value DNA, and may promote bloodlines in the 21st century. Without question, the technology is here, and now it’s time to learn about it. n the performance horse industry, genet- valuable enough to fork out the enormous cost common with cloning. ics have always played a key role in pro- of over $100,000 to rebuild another champion, Much has changed in the eight years since ducing the best horses. Therefore, cloning even if it means the horse will be without a set the first horse was cloned in 2003, and we al- is being used to take the guesswork out of of papers. ready have a growing list of reclaimed champion theI breeding process, by continuing bloodlines For breed registries such as the AQHA, there bloodlines. Undeniably, cloning has the veteri- that have been proven successful. While there remain hurdles within the rulebook which sci- nary community, the world’s leading scientists still are some skeptics in the horse industry as to ence must defeat in order to have a hope of and equine enthusiasts all pulling out their own the quality and functionality of these horses, the these organizations allowing the registration of points of view. What we may know for certain is cloning process is now on the edge of illustrat- clones. Veterinarians are now explaining how that cloning is not going to disappear from our ing its’ role in today’s performance horse world. good these horses actually are and what positive industry, and now it is up to us to find how its’ In North America, the cloning process has benefits clones offer to the genetics of the major capabilities can be of use to the horse world, and been dominated by the commercial company, breeds. how it should be managed within breed and ViaGen Inc. (based out of Austin, Texas), and Artificial insemination and embryo transfers sport associations. through a research laboratory at Texas A&M triggered the evolution of the breeding indus- We’ve have compiled this report on the ad- University. Through both the research of these try, and cloning promises to change it dramati- vances and experiences of those involved in institutions and the offspring of this research, cally and permanently. Every horse owner has an the business and practice of cloning during the we are watching history unfold. opinion on cloning, and generally, those opin- past eight years. Read on to find out what hap- The American Quarter Horse Association ions are a strong “for” or “against.” Some believe pened to the Smart Little Lena clones, whether and other breed associations are continuing to that the horse industry began a slippery slope Scamper’s clone has potentially produced new stand firmly against the registration of cloned of descent with the allowance of transported barrel racing champions, and what the industry horses. Despite this, many throughout the cooled semen. Others contend such breeding experts are saying today – about the business equine disciplines are finding this technique interferes as embryo transfers have nothing in and ethics of cloning. 42 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 WESTERNHORSEREVIEW.COM 43 Smart Little Lena Clones

The entire world watched as the Smart Little Lena LLC syndicate auctioned off their four clones in December of 2010, at the Western Bloodstock sales, held during the National Cutting Horse Association’s annual Futurity. Despite these horses carrying the DNA of one of the greatest sires in AQHA history, with offspring earnings in excess of $26.5 million, the four 4-year-olds passed through the sale in Texas without breaking any records. The highest selling clone went for $28,000 to prominent cutting horse breeder (and Smart Little Lena LLC shareholder), Jack Waggoner of Bridgeport, Texas. As owner of Smart Aristocrat, a $3.2 million sire, and High Brow Cat, a $49.5 million sire, Waggoner is already heavily invested in the business of breeding. This horse, known as Bogie, is now standing at the Weatherford Equine Breeding Center in Weatherford, Texas, advertised as the genetic identical twin to Smart Little Lena. The second high selling clone sold to NCHA October of 2010 that one of the five remaining only ever interested in his DNA. He was the Hall of Famer Richard Bull of Tamarang Ranch foals passed away due to a tumor. Dr. Hinrichs most fertile of the clones. Reports that he was in Australia for $27,000. The final two horses noted that there was no autopsy done on the sub-fertile and broke (rideable) both turned sold: 1) $3,000 to Jeff Chase from Texas, and horse to verify the cause of death. According out to be false, as his fertility is excellent and 2) $2,400 to James Mora, a cutting trainer from to Bankson (published in the same article), de- it quickly became evident he had never been Arkansas. spite what had been written, these clones were saddled.” Perhaps adversely affecting their sale prices healthy and capable of producing viable semen “Salute” is now standing in Australia. Bull was the prevalence of bad press the clones re- and the syndicate was only selling these clones told us of the success of this stallion, in standing ceived before the sale. A legal battle surround- to settle their own internal disputes. to the public. ing the Smart Little Lena LLC syndicate and Trainer Jeff Chase purchased a clone at the “Mare owners are excited to have access to health issues published about the clones caused sale. This horse is now in the hands of Jason Smart Little Lena’s genetics in Australia. Salute many to question the quality of these horses. Abraham of Canadian, Texas, for the purpose is covering 100 mares this season, including According to their original creator, Dr. of being re-cloned. The horse was listed as in- some of the leading performers in the country. Katrin Hinrichs DVM, PhD, and Professor at fertile in the Western Bloodstock sale catalogue, “Through Salute, we are allowing Australia Texas A&M University and equine reproduc- and according to Gregg Veneklasen D.V.M., of first-generation access to one of the most influ- tion specialist, the Smart Little Lena clones Timber Creek Veterinary Hospital in Canyon, ential stallions to ever exist in the performance were intended as part of a research project. Texas, had crooked legs, as well as reproductive horse industry in North America. Australia “We were looking at different methods for issues. presently has only one Smart Little Lena daugh- performing an important step in the cloning In the last 30 years, Dr. Veneklasen has led the ter, so the introduction of Smart Little Lena’s process – that is, signaling the egg (oocyte) to veterinary community in reproductive develop- superior genetics offers tremendous opportu- start developing into an embryo. We found one ments such as embryo transplants and cloning. nities to upgrade broodmare strengths in our method that produced better embryos than the Just last year, he was nominated for Professional industry.” others, and published these findings in a scien- Rodeo Cowboy Association Veterinarian of According to Bull, at the time Salute arrived tific journal. the Year by 11-time World Champion, Trevor into Australia he was legal for registration un- “With the Smart Little Lena cells, we trans- Brazile and 10-time Wrangler National Finals der the rules of the Australian Quarter Horse ferred 13 embryos and nine produced pregnan- Rodeo team roping qualifier, Travis Tryan. Association, but this is now a subject of litiga- cies. Two were lost during gestation, one foal “This horse was purchased because they saw tion. was stillborn, and six pregnancies resulted in the genetics to be invaluable,” says Veneklasen. Tamarang is expecting foals after the first live foals. One foal died of pneumonia two days Richard Bull, the Australian clone buyer, saw of August, 2012 – the start of the Australian after birth.” the potential in owning a clone of Smart Little breeding season. Bull feels these Smart Little Jimmy Bankston, Smart Little Lena Clone co- Lena for breeding purposes. Lena bloodlines will add to the quality of the manager, stated to the Quarter Horse News in “We weren’t interested in his looks – we were country’s Quarter Horses. 42 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 WESTERNHORSEREVIEW.COM 43 Frenchmans guy clones

The barrel racing world has been led domi- education to convince them of how valuable this These three Frenchman’s clones are not the nated in the past decade by horses sired by the fa- process would be to their breeding operation. only clones in the rodeo world, and what Myers mous 1987 palomino stud from Myers Training After determining that cloning passes along the saw in the rodeo arena last year made an impres- Stables, located in South Dakota. His offspring same performance qualities, he decided it was sion on him. have won in excess of five million dollars. time to take a chance with this process. Seeing “We saw the clones of Panhandle Slim (the Choosing not to lose an opportunity to continue these foals on the ground, he is satisfied know- 1997 PBR Bucking Bull of the Year) bucked last the power of Frenchmans Guy bloodlines, Myers ing the genetics that would have died with winter and we were very impressed.” Training Stables took a chance with science and Frenchmans Guy are now going to be available to While Myers feels the concerns of the criti- recently cloned their aging stud. In the spring of continue on to other generations. cal audience, he believes the correct information 2011, three clones were born through ViaGen’s “I think it’s the way of the future. People are needs to be circulated on the topic of cloning. Canadian facility. trying to keep bloodlines alive in all aspects, this “People are skeptical of things they don’t Bill and Deb Myers saw this as an appropriate is just the next step.” know.” time to continue on the strength of their legend- While Myers’ concedes it’s unfortunate that He admits that in the beginning they had plen- ary stallion’s bloodlines. Truly, If these clones these horses cannot be registered at this time, ty of concerns and unanswered questions, but hold the same performance potency as the origi- there will always be a following for top perform- chose to become more informed on the topic. nal, Frenchmans Guy bloodlines will remain on ers in the barrel racing arena, and that fact will People need to become more educated. A lot the top of the scoreboards for many more years ultimately determine their credibility. of positive things are involved with this process.” to come. “Good horses will always be in demand. The He’s convinced that this is the next step in Myers admits it took some consideration and stop clock will determine this.” equine reproduction. 44 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 WESTERNHORSEREVIEW.COM 45 went out there and bought Rock Island and Wolfie, canada’s own clone that’s all of them grey horses. They all fight. Paid Making a Canadian mark in the cloning of horses is all based on numbers. $400 for that stud. It was the ‘70s.” rodeo stock is Franklin Stock Contracting, “His mommy was the wind and his daddy There was no science to the breeding process which recently cloned 435 Airwold to produce was a train. Horses running in every direction. of bucking horses 30 years ago. It was simply the Wolfie, a clone of the late great saddle bronc and We’d turn out a 100-plus mares to foal,” says more horses bred in the pasture, the greater the bareback horse. The fiery young horse was the Franklin. chances of getting an animal that bucked. first bucking horse cloned and was born August It takes hundreds of foals to get a few that “We were at almost a 1000 head, when when 4th, 2008, through ViaGen in Canyon, Texas. If not for the decision of the Franklin Stock “His mommy was the wind and his daddy was a Contracting outfit to clone Airwolf, the death of the great bucking horse would have been the train. Horses running in every direction. We’d end of his bucking bloodlines. The original Airwolf was a15.2 hands high, turn out a 100-plus mares to foal.” ~ Shane Franklin 1,200 pound gelding which may have been one of the greatest horses to grace the sport of ro- bucked. The colt whom would come on to even- dad died. We had around 400 head of young deo. Sadly, he passed away this past July at the tually be one of the greatest bucking horses ever horses that had never been bucked.” age of 27. Airwolf still sits (tied with another was gelded as a yearling. Franklin describes the veteran rodeo star as a Franklin horse, Transport) for the all-time lead- Franklin admits if he knew at that time what tremendously wild and quirky bronc of a horse, ing Canadian saddle bronc score of 95; ridden the great grey bucking horse was going to be- who could scare the pants off any cowboy. by Glen O’Neil at Innisfail, Alberta in 1996. come, they would have left him as a stud. “I’ve been told by some cowboys looking at Shane Franklin of Franklin Rodeo Company “Hindsight is a great thing.” him in the chutes, that it was like looking into relates there was no simple way to pre-deter- The only genetic tracing Franklin could de- the eyes of a shark,” laughs Franklin. mine his bloodlines, as Airwolf was pulled out termine on Airwolf was his color. Similar comments have been made about the of the herd of hundreds when he was gelded. “The grey line originally started from an young clone who was created via Veneklasen’s Traditionally, the method of breeding bucking Appaloosa stud from Gus Gottfriedson. Dad clinic.

44 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 WESTERNHORSEREVIEW.COM 45 “He is one of those horses that would look Franklin says this clone will not buck in the stud jumped and kicked when hit by the light in right through you,” says Veneklasen. arena, but will be used purely for breeding. the alleyway and trotted boldly around the arena. There is something strangely similar about “I’ve had lots of people ask me, when are you “He went up and kicked the barrel marker these horses, and those close to the two are going to buck this horse? I’ve seen him buck for and all the guys behind the chutes broke out witnessing strong comparisons. When Airwolf 15 years, so why should he? His colts are going laughing,” says Franklin. “They all said, yup was retired at the 2006 National Finals Rodeo to rodeo,” says Franklin. that’s him alright.” (as NFR Saddle Bronc of the Year and inducted For a rodeo stock contractor, the price of Franklin Rodeo Company has also collected into the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame), he cloning an animal is very steep and the actual the DNA on several of their other top bucking left saddle bronc rider Scott Johnston and last value of each animal may not recoverable. But horses. This includes Kingsway (1988 PRCA cowboy to ride him, lying in the dirt. by having the opportunity to refine his herd Bareback Horse of the Year and the 1995 and Veneklasen chuckles when he comments through the best proven DNA convinces stock 1996 PRCA Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year that when Wolfie met Johnson, Wolfie gave the contractors like Franklin that cloning is well and inducted into the Canadian Hall of Fame cowboy a sniff and comically fired in for a bite, worth the investment. in 1998), Blue Ridge and Saddlebags. almost like he knew him. “It’s just like the racehorse business: if you can The three-year-old grey Wolfie has recently “He never did that to anyone else,” says increase the odds, the better chance you have at experienced his first season at stud, breeding Veneklasen. winning.” Franklin’s top Canadian and National Finals Although Franklin is unable to confirm yet if On the final day of the 2011 Canadian Finals Rodeo qualifying mares, such as Pop A Top, his personality is the same as Airwolf (at the age Rodeo, the public got a chance to bear witness to Steel Grey and Ultimately Fine. He is also ex- the clone is now), Wolfie is beginning to come Airwolf ’s clone. Rexall Place was darkened to in- pected to stand to selected outside mares in the into his own character. troduce Wolfie with a giant spotlight. The young future. Mitochondrial DNA Could it be used to distinguish between a clone and the original? Mitochondrial DNA can distinguish the comes from. Because clones are made by trans- can be traced back to the original egg used for differences between a clone and the original ferring a nucleus into another mare’s oocyte, the cloning. However, if the cloned foal is a stallion, donor horse, as long as an oocyte from an un- mitochondrial DNA will be that of the oocyte when he breeds a mare the mitochondria from related mare is used for the cloning process. used. Thus, if the oocyte has a different mito- the sperm are eliminated after fertilization, so if However, regarding the offspring of a clone, chondrial DNA from the original horse, it can you have an offspring, you would not be able to mitochonddrial DNA might distinguish the be used to tell the difference between a clone tell whether it was sired by the original stallion offspring if the clone is a mare, but not if the and the original, no matter what the sex. or by a clone of the original stallion. clone is a stallion. If the cloned foal is a mare, she will put her ~ As described by Dr. Katrin Hinrichs DVM, Mitochondrial DNA of an individual de- mitochondria into her eggs, and thus her off- PhD, and Professor at Texas A&M University pends upon the oocyte that the individual spring will have that mitochondrial type, so this and equine reproduction specialist. 46 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 WESTERNHORSEREVIEW.COM 47 CLONED HORSES YEAR GENDER ORIGINAL CLAIM TO FAME 2006 Mare Docs Serendipity 1977 NCHA Futurity reserve champion 2006 Stallion Smart Little Lena All-time leading NCHA sire 2006 Mare royal Blue Boon All-time leading NCHA dam 2006 Mare Playboys Ruby NCHA earnings $262,441 2006 Mare tap O Lena NCHA earnings $450,639 2006 Gelding Gills Bay Boy, “Scamper” ProRodeo Hall of Fame horse 2007 Mare lynx Melody American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame horse 2007 Stallion Jae Bar Fletch NCHA Hall of Fame stallion 2007 Stallion reminic NCHA & NRHA Million dollar sire 2008 Gelding airwolf Canadian Professional Rodeo Hall of Fame Horse 2009 Mare the Smart Look NCHA $48,723, a 2006 leading cutting producer 2009 Stallion tailor Fit SI 110 LTE $1,299,010, the 1999 and 2001 World Champion 2009 Gelding Nates Shilabar, “Hot Shot” all-time leading Barrel Racing money earner 2009 Mare Dashing Phoebe SI 102 LTE $609,533 produced Special Phoebe 2009 Mare Spring Fling PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year 1997, Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year in 1999 & 2000 2009 Gelding Go Wild Former Calgary Stampede bucking horse 2010 Mare Clays Little Peppy NCHA earnings $209,366, OE $809,000+ 2010 Stallion feature Mr Jess SI-101 AAAT /ROM LTE $539,327 offspring earning $13.9 million. 2010 Mare Bet Yer Blue Boons NCHA Hall of Fame LTE $350,615 2011 Stallion frenchmans Guy Leading Barrel Sire with offspring earnings of $5 million

AQHA Rules and Clones Requiring Registration Papers So, with all this interest in cloning, why is the “The Board of Directors has considered the yet known. The other issue presented at that American Quarter Horse Association hesitat- Stud Book Committee’s recommendations re- time was that the male’s mtDNA becomes lost ing from registering clones? The association’s garding proposals to amend AQHA registra- in the fertilization process. With the latest ad- mission statement states the role of the regis- tion rules to allow for the registration of clones. vancements and discoveries now at hand, can try is ‘to uphold the integrity of the Quarter At the 2008 and 2009 AQHA Conventions, the AQHA keep the gates closed on these hors- Horse breed.’ Is the registry now holding back the Stud Book Committee recommended fur- es for much longer? on something that would improve its’ genetics? ther study of the cloning issue. At both of these According to Dr. Gregg Veneklasen, the asso- Isn’t technology already something that we are Conventions, the AQHA Board of Directors ciation is drawing at questions we now have an- taking advantage of in the horse industry? adopted the Stud Book Committee’s recom- swers for in not registering these horses. He feels Cloning is not just a word. It is a new scien- mendation that the issue be studied further.” the mtDNA debate regarding ‘outside’ mtDNA tific door we have opened. While many see it as This rule change was later brought up again into the Quarter Horse breed is unjustified. a moral argument, it may in fact be a scientific and denied by the Board of Directors, under Besides this, he states the male’s oocyte can be debate. We are looking at what this type of re- a recommendation by the SBRC at the 2010 distinguished prior to the fertilization process, search allows us to discover in our horses. What Convention. to be different from the original through a se- does the mitochondrial and chromosomal “At the 2011 Convention, the Stud Book men test. According to what he has found in all DNA of Quarter Horses disclose about their Committee considered a member’s proposal his studies, the AQHA just does not want to genetics? This is what academic text books are to allow for the registration of a cloned horse register these Quarter Horses. made of and this science puts the AQHA’s phi- for breeding purposes only. The Stud Book Professor Hinrichs has been asked to speak to losophies and the genetics of its’ horses under a Committee recommended that such proposal the AQHA at the annual conventions regarding giant microscope. be denied, and the Board of Directors agreed. what effect the mtDNA has on development. The first time the AQHA was given the idea Recently, the AQHA received another pro- She refers to the differences that could pos- for a rule change was in 2008. The Stud Book posed rule change to allow for the registration of sibly be contained in the mtDNA. The oocyte and Registration Committee (SBRC) was pre- cloned horses for breeding purposes only. Such (or unfertilized egg), which will host the skin sented with a proposed change to Rule 227(a) proposal, along with other timely submitted cell containing the donor’s DNA to be cloned, “that would allow a live foal produced via “so- proposals to amend AQHA registration rules, contains the mtDNA of the mare it came from, matic cell nuclear transfer” (the most common will be placed on the Stud Book Committee’s (which could be of any of the various breeds of type of cloning) to be registered if its DNA agenda at the 2012 AQHA Convention.” horses sent to slaughter). Thus the mitochon- matches that of a registered American Quarter The AQHA stated to Western Horse Review dria of the cloned horse would not necessarily Horse.” This was tossed around and postponed that the debate on mitochondrial DNA (mtD- be that of a Quarter Horse. for further study to be taken on by the SBRC. NA) has been an intense issue discussed at the The effect this has on the developing embryo Trent Taylor, AQHA Treasurer and Executive conventions. One of the discussed questions or resulting cloned horse, she feels, is still un- Director of Operations commented on the was regarding the clones’s oocyte (egg cell) that known. AQHA’s Bylaws and AQHA registration rules comes from slaughter horses of various breeds Taylor with the AQHA states, “The intro- relating to this topic. – the effects of these outside mtDNA were not duction of mtDNA from donor mares has been 46 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 WESTERNHORSEREVIEW.COM 47 an issue discussed by the Stud Book Committee, somal DNA. This is the DNA that is contained original. Veneklasen states science has all these and there are differing opinions regarding this in the cell of the donor horse that is transferred answers, but the AQHA just does not want to subject. After receiving input and discussing into an oocyte when cloning is performed. progress in this direction. this topic, the Stud Book Committee did not Veneklasen, with the help of ViaGen Inc., Veneklasen has worked with ViaGen Inc. focus on the mtDNA issue in making its rec- has created a large mtDNA bank on all horses, cloning horses since 2007 and has seen signifi- ommendations to the Board of Directors at the which he contends, disproves this concern. cant changes to the AQHA’s registry rules in his 2010 and 2011 Conventions.” History states the Quarter Horse breed is made professional history working with horses. Dr. Hinrichs feels that the AQHA is being from a diverse mix of breeds, (everything from “We went from a group of people who weren’t cautious because further research needs to be draft, Thoroughbred to Shetland ponies). The into embryo transplants, to the same group now done to determine the effect of the oocyte’s mi- mtDNA now proves it. The oocytes used to against cloning. I have been embryoing horses tochondrial DNA on the development of the clone are from all types of horses and all have for 30 years. There was a time when everybody cloned animal or on their offspring. However, Quarter Horse mtDNA. From this, he explains was saying the embryos were no good.” this is not an issue if the clone is a stallion, as that registered Quarter Horses have such a In the past, science has always had to prove males do not pass their mitochondrial DNA to variation their mtDNA as this ‘breed’ has not its competency to the registry. Before the issue their offspring. refined its’ self enough to contain anything dif- of cloning, the lines were drawn between the Dr. Hinrichs states the mitochondrial DNA ferent. scientific community and the AQHA on em- is the tiny piece of DNA found in each mito- “The bottom line is that these clones all have bryo transfers. According to The Quarter Horse chondrion (mitochondria are little organelles Quarter Horse mitocondrial DNA, because News, the first embryo transfer foal was regis- in the cytoplasm of each cell). Mitochondria Quarter Horses have the linage of many differ- tered in 1981. Later the registry ruled (rule 212) manufacture ATP, and so serve as the “power- ent types of horses.” that only one embryo transfer foal per mare a house” of the cell. Each mitochondrion has a On the other side of the debate, Hinrich year, could be registered. An out-of-court settle- little piece of DNA that has only 13 functional comments that the AQHA is being cautious ment with the AQHA in 2002 changed this and now multiple embryo transfer foals a year from one mare now can be registered. According to Veneklasen, there has always been a group of ‘nay sayers,’ who have been op- posed to advancements in science, but argues that breed registries will be forced by scientific facts to follow suit on cloning. Gregg Veneklasen has drawn up a proposed rule change that will be discussed at the upcom- ing Las Vegas AQHA Convention in March 2012. “I truly believe the AQHA will go ahead to register these clones,” says Veneklasen. The registry has been known for making exceptions in its’ rules of registering horses and may be forced at some time to allow these horses to be included as valid quarter hors- es. The AQHA’s white markings rule (Rule 205(d)) has been overruled by the register- ing of the bald faced Paint, Colonels Smoking Gun. Thoroughbreds have also been allowed to file into the system with a mix of other various genes in it. There are thousands of mitochon- because further research needs to be done to breeds to form the Quarter Horse today. From dria in an oocyte. After cloning (or fertilization) determine the effect of the oocyte’s mtDNA the physical differences displayed in the blood- the oocyte’s cytoplasm is divided up again and on the development of the cloned animal or on lines and evidence contained in their mtDNA, again to make the embryo, so each cell of the their offspring. To dispute this, Veneklasen says we can start to ask if the Quarter Horse geneti- embryo contains the mitochondria of the origi- he has already determined the ‘outside’ mtDNA cally is really a specific breed? nal oocyte. The embryo then starts to produce debate to be an inadequate argument based on What are ‘Quarter Horse’ genetics? Do you more cytoplasm, and the mitochondria divide his studies. win with an exceptional horse or ride a set of to produce more, and so each cell of the cloned The other issues discussed are on in regards papers? These could be new questions to ask as foal’s body contains this type of mitochondria. how to determining the clone and its’ offspring we understand more about what makes up our She continues to explain that this is different from the original. Veneklasen points out that animals. Must the AQHA now work closely to from the chromosomal DNA, the DNA most mitochondrial haplotypes can be used to deter- accommodate all variations of the breed? The people think of. This is in the chromosomes mine genetic differences. Tests (such as semen AQHA has been known to amend their rules in the nucleus of the cell that have the instruc- testing) are available for disclosing male genetic regularly and this will certainly be another tions for how to make that individual. There are inheritance even in clones. Even an iris test, he topic for discussion at the next March 2012 about 50,000 functional genes in the chromo- says, could be used to determine clones from the Convention. 48 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW JULY/AUGUST 2011 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 WESTERNHORSEREVIEW.COM 49 Clones we are creating are an example of twins and full siblings, who contain the same well as several Paso Finos, Trocha Y Galopes the best DNA possible. Genetic flaws such as DNA. It can also illustrate why offspring of a from Columbia and a line up of great buck- HERDA and HYPP now have the ability to be certain horse inherit the same bloodlines, but ing horses. He mentions that these century old silenced through these new discoveries and we exhibit differences in performance and physical bloodlines from some breeds could have been can promote positive gene qualities. As healthy, traits. lost, if not for this process. scientifically engineered horses and their babies “A horse that performs really well, may be “One we’re watching carefully is a clone of are being produced, we have to start asking if showing us he is using his DNA in the best way Gem Twist. A rider who rode the original, says this technology could be an advantage to us or possible,” says Dr. Katrin Hinrichs. they get goose bumps from this horse.” should we choose not to take part in it. Dr. Hinrichs from Texas A&M University The world class jumping horse Gem Twist comments that before cloning, we knew very was a gelding who died in 2006. He is still the Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer little about epigenetics. This topic she describes, only horse to have won the American Grand This laboratory technique uses an ovum with is opening up a whole new area of research for Prix Association Horse of the Year three times. a donor nucleus, and is the first step in the re- science. His clone was born in 2008 and unlike other productive cloning process. In this process, the clones, is expected to be prepared for competi- nucleus of the donor cell is removed to discard ViaGen Inc. in Canada tion. the host’s DNA. Replaced is the nucleus of the ViaGen Inc. has had a field office in Canada Veneklasen mentions that he sees this process somatic cell (from the animal to be cloned), since 2007. When the United States closed the as a very powerful tool for genetics and if they which is then reprogramed by its host cell. doors to their equine slaughterhouses, the com- perform, that’s an added bonus. Like other pro- Created is an egg that is stimulated to begin cell pany moved north to Canada, as the cloning fessionals, he sees these horses extending the life division, which forms an embryo. process requires equine ovaries (a by-product of of their bloodlines. slaughter horses). There are several elements that make a clone Will there be a clone of Willy? To take advantage of the Fort Macleod, different from the original. The environment There could possibly be a clone of Willy, the Alberta horse processing plant, ViaGen Inc. and social conditions they are born into are dif- steer wrestling wonder horse. Described unani- created their cloning laboratory, in nearby ferent. Epigenetic differences allow for subtle mously by professional rodeo cowboys as the Lethbridge. Mares sent to slaughter at this plant differences in appearance. Despite all of these best steer wrestling horse to have ever lived, are used in the cloning process for their ovaries variations, these clones contain the proven Willy has had his DNA collected by Dr. Gregg Vaneklasen. The clone of Doc’s Serendipity was the first clone to “We got the DNA on him,” says Curtis Cassidy. “It would be good to have another foal in North America. The foal was by High Brow Cat. one.” Cassidy says if cloned, they would use the horse for breeding. and oocytes (unfertilized eggs). Their cells are DNA that we have sought in the past. The 1986 registered appendix Quarter Horse then used by the company’s lab to host the In a few years time, will we be riding their ba- gelding RTR Little Willy, was bred by breeder DNA from the animal intended to be cloned. bies and continuing the winning legacy of these William W. Graff from Grand Junction, The Canadian slaughter horse market provides horses’ bloodlines? Will they tell us something Colorado to be a racehorse. Willy later was pur- a continual supply of eggs to be used for Viagen more about how genetic traits are developed chased by the Cassidy’s and has won over 2.5 Inc. and passed on? Will they already know how to million dollars for cowboys in his career. buck, turn and cut a cow, like their genetics tell Funds are the only hold up at this point. The What is gene banking? us they should? Cassidy’s did haul the 26-year-old Willy to a Gene banking is simply the preservation of “No one is asking anyone to breed to a clone couple rodeos in 2011, including Marwayne an animal’s genes to be available for future use. or to clone a horse,” Dr. Veneklasen points and Calgary, but the aging horse was sadly left All that’s is required is a small biopsy sample out. Those who are interested in this form or behind at the year-end Canadian Finals Rodeo. from the animal. reproduction should be able to continue with It’s not a stretch to understand why the it. There is a group of people who believe in its Cassidy’s might want a replica of Willy. If sci- The Future of Cloning functionality in the horses of the future. He ence has it’s way, it may just be a matter of time Undeniably, genetics play a significant role believes this procedure will either succeed tre- before the world sees RTR Little Willy-2 mak- in creating a great animal. This is why we have mendously or simply die out on its own. ing his mark on the rodeo arena. spent thousands of years refining horses and “I’ve been waiting for this all my life,” he their bloodlines to suit our needs. Artificial states. Epigenetics insemination and embryo transfer have been These cloned horses are on the verge of prov- The differences between a clone and the orig- developed to take better advantage of certain ing themselves as performers and producers. inal explained. genetics. Will cloning be the next step in pre- Will breeders take advantage of the bloodlines A set of characteristics that turn on and off serving the best DNA in horses, so breeders can continued on via these horses through cloning? specific genes in the DNA sequence are called refine breeding programs? Were some of these top horses only good in their epigenetics. These switches cause differences in The list of cloned horses and their offspring own time? As a new generation from cloning is gene expression. This is why a clone may not is growing, according to Dr. Veneklasen. At this emerging, we are all watching these equine pro- look exactly the same as the original horse. point, he says the majority of horses cloned are teges and more importantly, their offspring, as Epigenetics help to explain the differences in jumping and polo horses from Argentina, as they head for the performance spotlight. JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 WESTERNHORSEREVIEW.COM 49