Horse cloning, once a novel concept, has become increasingly accessible to British breeders over the past two decades, primarily for preserving valuable bloodlines and rare breeds. A cloned horse is a genetic twin of the original, created by transferring the DNA nucleus from a tissue sample into an egg cell, which is then implanted into a surrogate mare. While cloning is prohibited in the thoroughbred industry, the FEI has allowed clones and their offspring to compete in equestrian sports since 2012. The process is costly, with preservation and storage fees starting around £600, and cloning itself costing approximately $85,000.
Several famous horses, including Olympic medalists like Gem Twist and Chilli Morning, have been cloned, with clones actively competing at high levels. Clones do not always look identical to the original due to differences in markings and environmental influences on personality, though they often share similar traits. Cloning can also be performed on deceased horses if tissue samples are collected promptly. Additionally, cloning extends beyond horses to pets like dogs and cats, albeit at different price points.
