I do not know about the health of cloned horses. However, a local dairy farmer made national news with cloned dairy cows. The milk co-op will not accept his milk, although they deny it is because of the cloned cows. However, the non-acceptance of his milk began immediately after a national news show about his cloned cows. Both have had health problems which the vet is unable to diagnose. The farmer stated he paid $60,000 to have a champion cow cloned, and his nightmare began. He does not want to sell the ill cows because he is fearful they will get in the food chain, with unknown health issues. The first one was fine as a calf, and developed health problems later. The other became ill early on.

Brenda

I thought thiw was pretty interesting, showing Smart Little Lena clones & how they don't all look the same.

http://www.nature.com/nbt/journal/v24/n6/fig_tab/nbt0606-605_F1.html

In my opinion this cloning is a load of crap.  Ms James should have used the big bucks for psycho-therapy instead of cloning Scamper, or maybe buying another horse. But I guess it's easier to "clone" what you have instead of taking the time to find another talented steed. 

Hey, I've got a great horse that I've had to retire due to arthritis.  I miss our riding time together and she always took care of me out on the trails.    When she passes on I will remember her as the "best" darn horse I ever had.  If I had the "dollars" to clone her, it wouldn't happen.  She will always be in my heart as the best, and yep, I'll compare her to another horse that I ride in the future..............and will ALWAYS say,  Damn I miss riding Cheyenne............

Sorry but I can't honestly believe that cloned animals age more rapidly...they are exactly the same genetically, with all the good and bad!

I have followed the Smart Little Lena clones and the differing facial markings seem to be well documented and explained.

Sounds again like someone using fame and money for thier own personal profit

if Charmayne want to use her own money to clone a horse thats her business. Its her money and her fame whcih BTW she has earned. This crap is the sameload of BS or HS that was shoveled about when AI and ET technology was introduced. Any now we know it has tremendous benefits for everyone. Its is wrong for me to spend 5000K for  stud fee to get the best possible foal? You bet I want to make a profit! and so does Charmayne.

Just some info I read.....

There was a rule by the AQHA mentioned in the America's Horse magazine in the article regarding James's cloned foal, that the foals will not be eligible for registration. That goes for all cloned horses from AQHA animals.

Thank God NCHA does not have that rule, really big cutting horses only go to the AQHA shows and play...they don't need those worthless points when they are out for cold hard cash.

I love the AQHA but they are a little full of themselves most of the time...remember the cremella ruling?

From the scientific side of things....

Cloning an animal only means that the "clone" will posess the same DNA as the "parent".  Think about it like identical twins.. While they may share the same DNA, there personalities and body types may be MUCH different. 

Personality is determined AFTER conseption.  It has to do with the way the neurons and pathways develop during gestation (a totally random process).  THats why a lot of times you will see identical twins with opposing personalities.

Coloration and markings has to do with the way the cromesomes seperate after conception.  The best example of this is calico cats....  There may be a litter of 6 kittens, but none of them will have the same markings.

IN my opinion, cloning of Champion horses is a waste of money, cause you are never going to get the same animal.  The same DNA, yes; but personality, ability, markings, conformation.... there are more factors here than DNA alone....  You will never get the same horse twice.  even with the same DNA.

If this makes no sense to anyone, sorry....   Try to think of it as twins..... sharing the same DNA, but may not have the same body type, or personality.

This may be a good time to make the point that:   When breeding, just because a horse's sire is a champion, doesn't mean that horse is gonna be one either.   You can get champions from 'no name" stallions/mares...  Just like you can get 'duds' from champs...  Just makes Me appreciate the mericle that life turly is.... cause you never know what you are gonna get!!

Reproductive male cats are Toms and females are Queens.  Funny how dogs are bitches and cats are queens...the dog people must have been off playing fetch when names were passed out.

Nabsolute, many folks here do have scientific knowledge of this topic...they aren't the ones making crazy comments, like clones age more rapidly(someone slept during Biology.)  You won't change ignorance about this topic, several have tried scientific approaches in the past, it's like lecturing to my students while they sleep...but a good try none the less.