Italian Horse Protection Association

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The Italian Horse Protection Association (IHP) is a non-governmental organization in Montaione, near Florence, Italy. It was founded in 2009 by Antonio Nardi-Dei da Filicaja Dotti, Sonny Richichi, and Francesca Vaccari. IHP runs Italy’s only rescue center for mistreated and confiscated horses, operating under Law 189/2004. Its main goal is the physical and psychological recovery of horses after seizure and to educate people about horses’ behavior and needs. It also works to raise awareness about equine infectious anemia (EIA) and collaborates with the University of Perugia for research.

Under Italian rules, IHP is the only active isolation center that allows Coggins-positive horses to move freely under veterinary supervision. The association promotes recognizing horses as companion animals, which could support a ban on horse slaughter in Italy. IHP is the only Italian organization that focuses exclusively on horses and it also supports vegetarianism.

Horses live on about 100 hectares of open pasture in Montaione, under constant care from volunteers and veterinarians. The IHP collaborates with the University of Perugia for EIA and ethology studies and with the University of Pisa for internships with horses in freedom. The leadership includes Sonny Richichi (President), Ilaria Castellani, and Adolfo Sansolini (Board Members).