Eleana's Marvel (Kiger Hawk X Steens Eleana) is a Kiger mare who was orphaned at the age of 10 days old. Pictured above are Eleana's Marvel and her dam Steens Eleana. Visit
http://www.vet.k-state.edu/depts/VMTH/about/animal_life.htm (Volume 2) to read about Marvel's ordeal. We are forever grateful to Steens Eleana and the doctors and staff at KSU for giving us Marvel to enjoy. Now at three years old Marvel has been put under saddle so she can follow in her momma's footsteps and begin her career promoting mustangs. This "Marvelous" mare has turned out quite well considering she thinks Kristi and Randy are her dam and sire!
Because of Eleana's struggle with her broken leg while in foal it was determined for her to have a chance she needed to be induced to remove the excess weight from her broken leg. When mares are induced the foals rarely survive, as a result Marvel was not expected to live. Marvel had 24 hour care from the doctors and students at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine (KSUCVM). Above you can see Eleana's nose, even though she was struggling herself she never left Marvel's side. Despite all the strangers around her baby 24/7 she allowed them to care for her baby. It was as though she understood for Marvel to survive she needed their assistance.
During Marvel's stay at KSUCVM her doctors and students made her as comfortable as possible. Do you know many foals who owned their own mattress and pillow??!!
At 17 days old Marvel had survived, she beat the odds and was finally strong enough to come home to Tornado Alley Kigers. Unfortunately, her dam Steens Eleana was not able to do the same. Eleana was brought home the week prior to Marvel's arrival and laid to rest. Our hearts are forever broken but we are very thankful that Eleana was strong enough to hang on long enough to bless our lives with Marvel.
When Marvel arrived home she was too small and fragile to put out with the big horses. A severe storm with tornadic activity threatened our farm, we could not bear to think of Marvel in her stall alone. She was too small to see the other horses and we knew she would be frightened. Thank goodness she was still less than 1 month old so Randy could pick her up and carry her to our basement. After trying to type on the computer keyboard and eat paper she took up her post watching the TV for weather updates!
Marvel grazing in the pasture Fall 2007. This gorgeous filly has recently been started under saddle and pictures will follow.
This video clip is borrowed from Dennis Reis Certified Instructor Lisa Clark of TLC Mustangs. Watch as Isabella, palomino mustang, is worked by Kristi Billinger. Shiloh, dun mustang, is worked by Dona. Scarlett, red dun mustang, is worked by Mary and Lisa Clark. And Marvel, dun Kiger Mustang, featured on this page goes across the moving bridge on her very first outing from Tornado Alley Kigers since she was only 2 months old. We were very happy with Marvel on her long trailer ride and her behavior at the clinic! Thanks to Lisa for such a fun day! Enjoy!
Special Thanks!
We've all heard that old proverb "It takes a village to raise a child". Well, that proverb also applies to raising an orphan filly. Besides the thanks given above we also want to extend a very special thank you to our friends Dean and Burmah Martin of
Equerry's Inc. for their contribution of probiotics for both Eleana and Marvel. Also a huge thank you to our friends Karla Wiscombe, Jessie and Kaysha Green, without their family we would not have been able to care for Marvel around the clock like she needed to survive and thrive. We also had a LOT of moral support from our friends in the mustang community. Marvel really belongs to many people. ;-)