Travels with Gem
a mule's eye view

Let me introduce myself. Jessica L. Marquardt, graduate student, mule sidekick and chauffeur (read pickup-and-trailer driver) extraordinaire. I've had the great fortune and dubious honor of spending much of the past months in the company of greatness, the world's first equine clones, the mules Idaho Gem, Utah Pioneer, and Idaho Star.

Anyone tracking current events probably has seen numerous pictures, articles, and interviews about the science behind and importance of these little guys. With all this coverage, one very important perspective has been left out, that of the mules.

Photo by Katherine Jones. Idaho Gem nuzzles his principal handler Jessica Marquardt during a break at this spring's Idaho Horse Expo in Caldwell.

Think about this for a minute. Last May a healthy little mule foal was born, looked into the face of his "mother," a couple grinning veterinarians, and video camera lights. A star was born, Idaho Gem. It happened again in June and July when little brothers arrived.

So what does one do, having greatness thrust upon him the minute he is born? There are two avenues really, either to sulk about it or put your best foot/feet forward and enjoy the ride. The boys seem to choose the latter, jumping in with all four feet.

Among the three, they have been on tour, in the news, and in print enough to make any media star proud. They've enjoyed the limelight in Boise, Sacramento, Blackfoot, Moscow, Lewiston, Sandpoint, Logan (Utah), Spokane, Seattle, Caldwell, and Pullman. So far. During the Western Idaho Fair at Boise and the Eastern Idaho State Fair at Blackfoot, an estimated 70,000 people visited the Ag Pavilion where Idaho Gem and Idaho Star were corralled. The clones also made a half time appearance at an Idaho Vandals football game during Ag Days. It's a sure bet that will be my one-and-only appearance on the sidelines— courtesy of Idaho Gem.

Gem has enjoyed every minute of it, especially meeting all the children. He does find it hard to stay humble when famous. I will admit the mules are probably a little spoiled. Ever since Gem has had to share the limelight with his brothers, it seems like they just keep trying to outdo each other with their antics. Perhaps Gem is jealous of the shared attention.

Clearing up two questions
There are two common questions Gem and I would like to clear up:

"Is that the clone?" Yes, he is the clone, and yes, he does look like a "normal" mule, because he is, with two long ears and four legs, just like every other mule. He also acts like a normal, active mule foal. But Gem will never be convinced he is anything but absolutely extraordinary. His ego is healthy as well.

"Are they exactly alike?" The mules are genetically identical. They have the same DNA, but VERY different personalities. Gem is the first, and likes to think he is the boss—in charge of everything. Pioneer is the shy one. He hangs back a little and may not roughhouse as much as the other two. Star is the mischievous littlest brother who needs to be the center of attention, and likes to get his big brothers in trouble.

Taking on AAAS Seattle show
The trio's biggest expedition was to Seattle. Gem, Pioneer, and Star went to work Saturday afternoon, charming an interviewer from the BBC. They showed off in fine style, chasing each other around the pasture, kicking and biting, picking on each other like little boys— especially brothers—are apt to do.

Idaho Gem also had a little fun with reporter Christy McGourty while she was trying to hold and pet him on camera. Gem, with his usual impeccable timing, waited patiently until the camera was rolling...then got squirrelly, prancing circles around her, pulling back and otherwise making a nuisance of himself (laughing the whole time).

It never ceases to amaze me how he can charm people so completely while being an absolute pest. Idaho Gem is a natural showman. He splits his time between being captivatingly aloof and performing charming antics—like kicking up his heels, being sociable and friendly talking to his fans.

The next morning was Family Science Day at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (which publishes Science magazine) conference. It was a very prestigious honor, being with thousands of topnotch scientists who are performing cutting-edge research all around the world. The trip itself was an adventure. We drove through downtown Seattle to reach the convention center, through the building to the loading dock on an overpass above the street. A flat tire on the trailer had to be changed, so we unloaded on a "sky bridge" four stories in the air. Quite an experience with cars whizzing by underneath.

The exhibition was great
People from all over the world were there. We chatted with scientists, reporters, and interested families. Many said that the mules were the most exciting exhibit they had seen in a long time. That was, of course, once they found out that the boys were THE cloned mules, famous and did belong inside.

Gem has been mistaken for an ordinary mule before, but on this trip he got mistaken for a Russian one. One visitor asked if we had flown the mules in special from Moscow for the conference. A compliment followed on my excellent command of the English language because I revealed no trace of a Russian accent. I had to explain several times that day that there was a Moscow in Idaho, USA, as well as in Russia.

On the road to Boise and Sacramento
Another exciting episode of my travels with Idaho Gem began last August in Boise with a cloudburst. Then at the California State Fair in Sacramento we had a near visit by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger who campaigned nearby. In between are thousands of miles behind the steering wheel and hundreds of hours spent enjoying Gem's company, trying to convince him to behave on command.

I sometimes wonder if Idaho Gem ever wishes for a simpler life, full of greener pastures far awsy from public life, where he and his brothers can play. But then he gets this wicked, mischievous glint in his eye, kicks up his heels, and flirths with his adoring fans. No doubt he will tackle his future with the same grace and flair that he has pranced through his first year. I had no idea graduate school could be such an adventure.

--by Jessica L. Marquardt

Editor's note Jessica Marquardt is studying for her doctorate in animal physiology at UI with Dirk Vanderwall as her major professor through the Northwest Equine Reproduction Laboratory directed by the UI's Gordon Woods. They are two of the three scientists who produced the mule clones. Marquardt is Idaho Gem's principal handler. Before this assignment, she taught classes in training horse foals at Texas A&M University, where she earned her master's degree. A native of Plainfield, Iowa—population 400—she earned her bachelor's in animal science from Iowa State University. She plans to work as a scientist and teacher focusing on equine reproduction. "Science appeals to me because it is always changing. There are new problems to focus on, new puzzles to answer. I like the fact that you are always doing new things—it is not repetitious and it is challenging."

© 2004 University of Idaho, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.