from 350€

Brilliant 4.7rating (12)

Horse Welfare Assistant

location
1 - 4 weeks  ·  Age 16 - 50+

rating  Brilliant 4.7  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Complete your reservation as soon as possible. This project fills up quickly and is already booked on certain dates.


Highlights

  • Become part of our team at unique IHP horse rescue center!
  • Horse management, meal preparation, stable cleaning and assisting vets, every day! We host more than 40 horses at our center.
  • Learn everything about free life of rescued horses and the ethological management of equines!
  • Live an immersive experience in contact with horses in the tuscan countryside, with other volunteers from all over the world!
  • Visit Florence, Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano, Certaldo, Volterra and explore Tuscany in your free time, the perfect location for Italy lovers.

Especially suitable

Age 16+
Singles
Couples

About the program

Volunteers work all together in the Rescue Centre in, contribute to the care of the horses every day and learn about these beautiful free animals!

Our Volunteer Program takes place at the Horse Recovery Center in Tuscany. We host more than 40 horses at our center, every horse has his history and specific food and therapy. Volunteers are very important for us because they became part of our team and help us in the daily activities related to ...

About the program

Our Volunteer Program takes place at the Horse Recovery Center in Tuscany. We host more than 40 horses at our center, every horse has his history and specific food and therapy. Volunteers are very important for us because they became part of our team and help us in the daily activities related to the care of the animals: 

  • preparation of feed for older horses and horses with special feed; 
  • preparing hay for asthmatic horses; 
  • daily monitoring of our guests (state of health, general conditions); 
  • cleaning of the infirmary boxes and other environments; 
  • assistance in any checks and treatments by our veterinary managers;
  • help during sightseeing.
The work is voluntary and is done almost entirely in the open air, in a group of people which can also come from different countries.We don't require volunteers with horses experience, our staff will teach everything about horses management and their ethology.
The Center develops on the side of a hill, so there is a lot of walking and sometimes sloping. We work outdoors, so it is possible that there are very hot periods, or very cold, and that sometimes we move in the rain. We recommend tetanus vaccination. 
Volunteer live with the staff in a shared accommodation in the Recovery Center, with a common kitchen and bathroom. 
We would like have volunteer enthusiastic from horses and beware of animal rights, who love nature life and work with animals.

We welcome volunteers throughout the year, with a minimum stay of one week, with departure and arrival on Saturday.




Typical day

Our volunteers arrive on Saturday. The first day is dedicate to visit the Horse Rescue Center, learn center and house rules and meet the staff and the other volunteers. The first day we also do food shopping at the Castelfiorentino supermarket t for every volunteer. Sunday is the first volunteer ...

Typical day

Our volunteers arrive on Saturday. The first day is dedicate to visit the Horse Rescue Center, learn center and house rules and meet the staff and the other volunteers. The first day we also do food shopping at the Castelfiorentino supermarket t for every volunteer. Sunday is the first volunteer day! We have two rounds of volunteering every day: 

  • MORNING from 9:00 to 11:00 
  • EVENING from 18:00 to 20:00 
(Remember! Times may vary slightly according to season, weather and emergencies, it will be ours care to promptly notify you of any changes).  Volunteers have to participate in only one shift per day of your choice but, if you want to spend more time with horses, you can participate in both. 
In their free time volunteer can decide if stay with horses in the Rescue Center or explore Tuscany countryside and towns. We can give tourist advice to visit San Gimignano, Volterra and Certaldo town. 
Every volunteer is independent with food preparation and the time to wake up and sleep (always with respect for the other volunteers). 


Free-time activities

Tuscany offers beautiful landscapes and picturesque villages perfect for day trips, such as the nearby Certaldo, to admire the walls and the incredible view, or the elegant San Gimignano with its famous UNESCO heritage towers. 

Furthermore, Florence, Siena, Pisa and Lucca are all about an hour's ...

Free-time activities

Tuscany offers beautiful landscapes and picturesque villages perfect for day trips, such as the nearby Certaldo, to admire the walls and the incredible view, or the elegant San Gimignano with its famous UNESCO heritage towers. 

Furthermore, Florence, Siena, Pisa and Lucca are all about an hour's drive away machine from the Rescue Center. Upon your arrival you will be provided with advice and ideas to better organize your tourist excursions.
Please remember: to move around independently you need a car. We are in the countryside and public transport is very scarce.


Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 16 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 16 years old on the program start date.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level) or Italian (basic level)

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

We are looking for volunteers with a lot of enthusiasm: volunteering with animals is a challenging experience, both physically and mentally, but very rewarding. In our volunteers we look for team spirit and desire to learn and live this adventure.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 09:00 - 20:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Italian Horse Protection

The fee includes:
  • food (not the preparation)
  • accommodation
  • transport from Castelfiorentino train station (if possible)
  • donation to IHP
  • welcome kit (with the official Italian Horse Protection  t-shirt and the personal membership card)

At the time of booking confirmation you can request the service of transport from the Castelfiorentino train station (arrival must be communicated in advance and must take place in the time slot 11:30-16:30). 


Accommodation

IHP provides accommodation for volunteers at the Recovery Center headquarters. 

The apartment is shared with other volunteers and partly with the staff. We normally host two volunteers at a time (more than two only in exceptional cases), therefore the room could be shared with other people. 
A provision of volunteers are available: 
  • In the bedroom: blankets and pillows, single bed, bedside table, wardrobe, lamp. 
  • In the common areas: equipped kitchen, bathroom with shower, washing machine, drying rack, hairdryer, safe first aid, garden with relaxation area. 
On request we can provide sheets and towels. Volunteers are requested to keep the communal spaces and the bedroom clean and tidy, and clean the kitchen and cooker after each use. You are asked to respect night rest hours. Within the confines of the Centre, for safety reasons, smoking is not permitted. The introduction of other owned animals will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. There is Wi-Fi in the apartment.

Food & Beverages

In the apartment there is a common equipped kitchen. The staff do the shopping for all at the Castelfiorentino supermarket on a weekly basis.Every volunteer can buy own favorite food, but in respect of the IHP mission, the foodstuffs we purchase are plant based. Inside the Center we ask you to not introduce animal origin food. Meals are prepared independently by volunteers when they want. 

Internet Access

Limited access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Airport Pickup at Firenze-Peretola Airport

An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Firenze-Peretola Airport (FLR) in Florence. We assist you to find cheap flights to Italy. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Italy provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Italy you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Italy. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

We welcome volunteers throughout the year with departure and arrival on Saturday.

The closest airport is in Florence and the closest train station in in Castelfiorentino. 

We recommend to rent a car for move in Tuscany. 

In case of traveling with train volunteers can request the transport service from Castelfiorentino train station to Rescue Center but the arrival must be communicate in advance and must take place in the time slot 11:30 am - 4:30 pm. 
If you arrive earlier or later, we recommend that you take a taxi or the bus. 

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

1 week (min. stay) 350€
2 weeks 700€
3 weeks 1,050€
4 weeks (max. stay) 1,400€
Average fees 350€/week

Program fees

350€ per week 1 - 4 weeks Age 16 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

1 - 4 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Italian Horse Protection during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Italian Horse Protection

Brilliant 4.7 rating (12 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 2009

Verified by Volunteer World

  Excellent response rate

Coordinated by

Sonny

Spoken languages: Italian, English, Spanish

About the project

IHP is an independent animal welfare Association for horses protection. In our Recovery Center in Tuscany we recover horses rescued from abuse and offer them a new life.

Meet your organization

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!

12 reviews · rating4.7

Martha Soriano rating5

2024 at Horse Welfare Assistant

If you love horses and want to see how they should truly live and thrive--this is the place for you! Be prepared to have your heart stolen and at times broken. Some of the horses come from horrible conditions and need special food, daily therapies and care. Working for a month gives you the ...
Bárbara Morales rating4.8

2023 at Horse Welfare Assistant

I had my first volunteering experience on Italian Horse Protection and it was very special. Its grateful to see how Sonny, president of the association, is really passionate and expert about horses and takes all the daily tasks – the very simple ones and the most complex - with passion, dedication ...
Sofia Zompi rating5

2022 at Horse Welfare Assistant

I had been dreaming of my experience at Italian Horse Protection for so long that I was afraid it would never come again. But for the undecided, I want to tell you what it means to volunteer for two weeks at IHP. You will probably arrive on Saturday, with a car full of suitcases or at the Montaione ...
Martina Gallonati rating4.6

2022 at Horse Welfare Assistant

there i learned a lot about horses and animals in general, we alternate some “lessons” in which we learned about horses attitude and how socialize with them, and some practical things as feed the horses and take care of ...
Amanda rating4.6

2022 at Horse Welfare Assistant

I volunteered for 4 months at the Italian Horse Protection and I recommend it to anyone who wants to make an impact on horse wellbeing! With over 40 horses on site, there is a lot of work that needs to be done on a daily basis. All horses suffered from some sort of abuse, mistreatment and/or ...
Stefania Bevilacqua rating5

2022 at Horse Welfare Assistant

In April 2022 I had the opportunity to have a two-week volunteer experience with Sonny, the president of Italian Horse Protection. It was my first experience and I went with my best friend. As they told us during the interviews the experience was very hard both physically and mentally but at the ...

Location

Europe > Southern Europe > Italy > Montaione

You might also be interested in

Contact Sonny
  Excellent response rate
Italian, English, Spanish

Most volunteers ask about


Do you have any more questions? Send a message to Sonny
Please do not share personal contact details for your privacy