IHP is an independent association dedicated to the welfare
of all equids, born in 2009 in Tuscany. Sonny Richichi is the president
and the legal representative of the Association. He was a LAV National
Directive Council member from 2002 to 2006, LAV President from 2004 to 2006,
and the National Manager of the LAV Equine Sector from 2004 to 2008. He was
Director of the Flaminia da Filicaja Foundation in 2009, before founding IHP. Our team include biologists, veterinaries and experts in communication.
IHP was born to change the world of horses and other
equines, whose rights have always been trampled on due to ignorance, inadequate
laws, exploitation and ruthless trade practices. In the last years we have fought against the use of horses to pull tourist carriages in Italian squares and against the "blood farm" to produce PMSG, a hormone extracted from the blood of mares who are four months pregnant. In May 2023 we have participated in a Italian television program about the use of PMSG and the horrible horses situation. We fight to achieve this by
working consistently and professionally every day. We work on several levels:
- Complaints: we report cases off abuse and support the authorities in rescue operations.
- Investigations: we perform investigative activities to discover exploitation.
- Rescue: we recover horses and host them at our Horse Rescue Centre. We help horses from every part of Italy.
- Care: in our structure horses receive mental and physical rehabilitation and veterinary care adapted to their needs.
- Rehabilitation: the horses at the IHP Centre live in a semi-wild state with a comfortable and natural social life. We are the first Horse Rescue Center in Italy!
- Adoption: we find new families for some of the horses, after a careful selection of potential adopters.
- Conservation: we promote and support activities for the introduction of new equine welfare laws.
- Information and awareness: we try to improve the relationship between humans and horses through scientific dissemination. We are against the use of horses in horse-racing, equestrian sports, events and for commercial and/or competitive activities of any kind.
IHP is in Tuscany! One of the most beautiful regions in Italy! Tuscany is famous
all over the world for its beautiful landscapes, historic towns and cities of
art, such as Florence and Pisa. We are sure that you will love explore Tuscany countryside, drink our incredible wine and visit all unique cities. Tuscany is a safe regions with a good climate and no special health requirements.
We accept volunteers from all over the world all year round! Volunteers are very important for use because they become part of our team and help us to disseminate correct information about horses. We are looking for enthusiastic people with desire to learn and love for horses!
PLEASE NOTE - SUMMER 2024:
WE HAVE NO MORE ROOM ON THE FOLLOWING DATES:
20 TO 26 JULY
24 TO 31 AUGUST