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Since the first foal was born in 2003, France has been a pioneer in horse cloning.

Cloning is a reproduction technique that is very respectful of the horse's well-being: it is based on a simple biopsy.

The collected cells are cultured, and then, using a microscope and a micromanipulator, a nucleus is removed to replace the nucleus of an oocyte. The cell is then stimulated to divide and become an embryo. The egg is then implanted in a carrier.

The production of a clone is quite close to the ICSI technique, without the need to collect eggs from a mare. The experience of ICSI and embryo transfer has allowed in 20 years to multiply by 50 the rate of transformation of oocytes into embryos.

The first clones made from skin cells turned out to be very imperfect copies of the original and conveyed an unsuccessful image of the technique.

Now, stem cell collection allows for production that is very close to the original horse; to the point, for example, that some polo players are unable to know whether they are riding the clone or the original.

Clones regularly appear at the highest level of international competition and are sometimes better than the horse from which they originated.

What is the point of cloning?

For sport, cloning allows to reproduce exceptional horses and to keep a mount that one particularly appreciates by eliminating the risk of genetic mixing linked to traditional reproduction. The horses will rotate on average 7 or 8 seasons which corresponds to the arrival time of a clone in competition. The clone will be able to take over from the original but they will not cross on a field.

When should you clone a horse?

The horses produced today are generally much superior to those produced only 5 years ago. Breeding is progressing and it is a competition between nations. We must imagine what the sporting value of the clone will be when it arrives in competition among the new generations in 10 years… It is therefore wise to clone exceptional individuals and among the youngest rather than older horses.

Cloning and breeding:

One of the advantages of cloning is that it allows a gelding to regain fertility. More generally, like embryo transfer or ICSI, it is a technique that allows for the densification of the production of high-performing individuals and therefore for the faster improvement of the quality of production. Countries like Belgium that have massively used these techniques have quickly overtaken countries like Germany that have not used these methods.

Preserving genetic heritage:

In the hours following the death of a horse a biopsy can be performed by a trained veterinarian, it is better to anticipate these situations and secure the DNA now. Unlike an insurance that does not return the horse. The LAMM company offers a DNA backup and conservation service.

How much does it cost to make a clone?

Today, the manufacturing of a clone costs between 300,000 and 60,000 dollars, depending on the country. This figure is low compared to the statistical cost of manufacturing a champion, which is several million euros.