Because they think they are going to end up with a horse more likely to win major competitions. or a horse likely to sell for a bigger prce.
[QUOTE=Janet;5935779]
Because they think they are going to end up with a horse more likely to win major competitions. or a horse likely to sell for a bigger prce.[/QUOTE]
Which brings us to the next question, what if Gemini is hard to handle and not very nice. Should they then geld him? And then what is the point of the cloning in the first place.
I think with each breeding we are supposed to improve upon the current generation. To me frozen embryos and semen are already enough of a way to keep the lines alive before altering the animal (geld/spay, etc) and I don’t see the need to clone them. But that’s just my opinion.
[QUOTE=smokygirl;5935611]
So why would anyone breed to an unmanageable stallion (since the clone is just like the donor) when they can breed to one that is manageable with it’s balls intact?[/QUOTE]
Gemini has the same genetic makeup.
He may or may not have a similar personality to Gem Twist.
He may or may not perform at the same level as Gem Twist.
Heck, we don’t even know if he will show or not.
He WILL likely NOT be just like the donor.
But to ASSume that he is an ‘unmanageable stallion’ is a bit of a stretch. In fact, the articles about Gemini seem to indicate he is progressing just like any horse of a similar age.
The point is to preserve the genetics that produced top sport horses from the 1930’s on.
The horse is an athlete.(Under FEI rules)
The rider is also an athlete.
Cloning of athletes is illegal and cheating.
One of the jobs of the FEI is to privide fair and equal conditions and rules for its athletes to compete under
of course… the other option is that 12 years before each olympics…all the equestrian athletes receive their same clone and have 12 years to get the clones ready for comp… That would be interesting !
[QUOTE=fordtraktor;5935189]
Well, yes, there are a lot of reasons to try Gemini as a breeding stallion even if he is a dud in the ring. Gem Twist was gelded because he was too much of a handful as a stallion, it is not at all unlikely that Gemini will not perform to his level if he has any of that propensity.
But the point is that Gemini is genetically identical to Gem Twist. Breeding to Gemini is like breeding to Gem Twist. He would never have to step foot in the ring to make that prospect an interesting one.
Likeaninja, what are the details on Gemini? Is he just open to a few select mares or anyone? Stud fee?[/QUOTE]
Gemini is available for a 3,500 dollar breeding fee and 500 dollar booking fee. He is open to “select” mares, but I feel they are probably pretty open to mares with a decent pedigree or show record so they can get some babies on the ground.
Also Gemini is already u/s and going. The Chapot’s will have his better interest in mind I’m certain and if they think he is competition material I’m sure we’ll see him in the ring, and if he’s not at the end of the day he still hold’s Gem Twist’s same DNA.
Gemini is not dangerous or unride-able. I’m sure, like any young stallion, he has his moments. As I don’t know him personally I can’t attest to his personality but the Chapot’s do have him under saddle and I hear he’s actually quite a lovebug.
Only time will tell. I think it’d be pretty amazing if this project becomes a success. I’d be willing to take a chance on that DNA. If he covers enough mares he’ll make some super stars. Sure maybe not every single foal will go on to jump 1.60m tracks but neither do any other popular stallions. Breeding is a gamble and I’m sure he’ll throw some great ones and some duds. Let’s let time tell. . .
I dunno. What better way to put individual training programs and rider ability to the test? That sort of class line up seems comparable to spec classes in car racing, where each competitor must compete in a car of the same make with the same (or at least very similar) after market modifications. Driver skill is readily measured in these classes.
But really, when you consider the nature of genes (chromosomal jumping, constant motion, mutations), there are far more variables even with a clone than just environment. Not even clones are identical, as can be seen with even a cursory Google on the topic.
I think it’s fascinating that it’s economically feasible to clone cattle for any purpose - breeding or bucking.
Poltroon…
Truth be known, it is equally economical to clone horses for the same $, they just still have the horse folks willing to pay the $$$$$$$. The cattle folks were supra-ovulating cows and collecting & freezing semen from bulls when all the horse folks still thought that kind of thing was of an alien world. Kinda stupid when you think about it, that the horse folks have not realized it really does not cost $250,000 or whatever the ridiculous amount is these days.
[QUOTE=likeaninja;5935978]
Gemini is available for a 3,500 dollar breeding fee and 500 dollar booking fee. He is open to “select” mares, but I feel they are probably pretty open to mares with a decent pedigree or show record so they can get some babies on the ground.
Also Gemini is already u/s and going. The Chapot’s will have his better interest in mind I’m certain and if they think he is competition material I’m sure we’ll see him in the ring, and if he’s not at the end of the day he still hold’s Gem Twist’s same DNA.
Gemini is not dangerous or unride-able. I’m sure, like any young stallion, he has his moments. As I don’t know him personally I can’t attest to his personality but the Chapot’s do have him under saddle and I hear he’s actually quite a lovebug.
Only time will tell. I think it’d be pretty amazing if this project becomes a success. I’d be willing to take a chance on that DNA. If he covers enough mares he’ll make some super stars. Sure maybe not every single foal will go on to jump 1.60m tracks but neither do any other popular stallions. Breeding is a gamble and I’m sure he’ll throw some great ones and some duds. Let’s let time tell. . .[/QUOTE]
Thanks.
I sense a lot of breeder hostility to the clone but on the “buyer” side, I bet there are lots of buyers like me that would love love love to have their very own Gem Twist baby, have been longing for one since 1988. Something to keep in mind…
Still have my Gem Twist Breyer horse, the only one I’ve got. 
He was just breathtaking.
No hostility by me…
I actually considered it with my old man, he was almost 32 when he died and had quite sought after bloodlines (barrel horses) for our area, I contacted a company about freezing some of his chest tissue before he died and spoke with our vet about collecting it, but the numbers were outragious to get the mare in foal with the successful clone in-utero, so I buried the idea with him a few months later when he died. It actually made me mad because I knew the bull folks were doing it for A LOT less but the company would not budge and they were the ones that would have been responsible for maintaining the tissue until a clone was produced.
I certainly would have loved to have one by him.
