Second Mule Clone Born

The research team that made headlines in May after producing the world’s first equine clone–a mule named Idaho Gem–on June 9 has repeated its success with the birth of another mule–Utah Pioneer.

Researchers Gordon Woods, DVM, MS, PhD, Dipl. ACT, and Dirk Vanderwall, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACT, from the University of Idaho (UI); and Ken White, PhD, from Utah State University, said the male

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The research team that made headlines in May after producing the world’s first equine clone–a mule named Idaho Gem–on June 9 has repeated its success with the birth of another mule–Utah Pioneer.

Researchers Gordon Woods, DVM, MS, PhD, Dipl. ACT, and Dirk Vanderwall, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACT, from the University of Idaho (UI); and Ken White, PhD, from Utah State University, said the male mule foal’s birth was natural and unassisted. The colt weighed 78 pounds (35 kg) at birth, and according to Woods was healthy and very active.

The equine cloning team will again submit samples to a University of California, Davis, laboratory for independent verification as they did with Idaho Gem. Woods said he has no doubt about the outcome: “He’s a male mule, and he looks like Idaho Gem. He is what he is.”

Idaho Gem and Utah Pioneer are full siblings of Taz, a champion racing mule owned by Idaho businessman, UI benefactor, and mule enthusiast Don Jacklin. The foals carry identical DNA from a fetal skin cell culture established five years ago at UI from Taz’ mother and father. At press time, a third sibling was due to be born

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Written by:

Stephanie L. Church, Editorial Director, grew up riding and caring for her family’s horses in Central Virginia and received a B.A. in journalism and equestrian studies from Averett University. She joined The Horse in 1999 and has led the editorial team since 2010. A 4-H and Pony Club graduate, she enjoys dressage, eventing, and trail riding with her former graded-stakes-winning Thoroughbred gelding, It Happened Again (“Happy”). Stephanie and Happy are based in Lexington, Kentucky.

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