Italian Horse Protection Association
Encyclopedia
The Italian Horse Protection Association (IHP) is the only rescue center in Italy
for mistreated and confiscated equines, based on Law 189 of 2004 (Mistreatment of animals
).
characteristics and the specific needs of the equine species. In IHP’s view equines are very often misunderstood by their human
counterparts, resulting sometimes in unintentional mistreatment due to this lack of understanding.
, a disease that the association considers to be misunderstood and less dangerous than what is generally believed. To this end it started a scientific collaboration with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
at the University of Perugia
. With the authorization of the competent veterinary AUSL (Local Health Agency) and according to Italian norms, the Italian Horse Protection Association is the only active isolation center in Italy that allows freedom of movement for horses who were found positive to the Coggins test (agar immunodiffusion).
association and the only association of its kind in Italy that deals exclusively with equines. It also supports vegetarianism
.
of Montaione
, in the province of Florence
. The equines live in open pastures on about 100 ha
of land, under constant monitoring of the many volunteers and veterinarians of the association.
, and with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pisa
for internships on horses in freedom.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
for mistreated and confiscated equines, based on Law 189 of 2004 (Mistreatment of animals
Cruelty to animals
Cruelty to animals, also called animal abuse or animal neglect, is the infliction of suffering or harm upon non-human animals, for purposes other than self-defense. More narrowly, it can be harm for specific gain, such as killing animals for food or for their fur, although opinions differ with...
).
Mistreated equines
The main goal of the Italian Horse Protection Association is the psychological and physical recovery of equines, subjected to sequestration under Law 189 of 2004 (Mistreatment of animals). Beyond that it strives to raise awareness of the ethologicalEthology
Ethology is the scientific study of animal behavior, and a sub-topic of zoology....
characteristics and the specific needs of the equine species. In IHP’s view equines are very often misunderstood by their human
Human
Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...
counterparts, resulting sometimes in unintentional mistreatment due to this lack of understanding.
Equine Infectious Anemia
Another very important aspect that the IHP addresses is linked to the challenge of educating horse-owners and the general public on the realities related to equine infectious anemiaEquine infectious anemia
Equine infectious anemia or equine infectious anaemia , also known by horsemen as swamp fever, is a horse disease caused by a retrovirus and transmitted by bloodsucking insects. The virus is endemic in the Americas, parts of Europe, the Middle and Far East, Russia, and South Africa. The virus is a...
, a disease that the association considers to be misunderstood and less dangerous than what is generally believed. To this end it started a scientific collaboration with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary medicine
Veterinary Medicine is the branch of science that deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, disorder and injury in non-human animals...
at the University of Perugia
University of Perugia
University of Perugia is a public-owned university based in Perugia, Italy. It was founded in 1308, as attested by the Bull issued by Pope Clement V certifying the birth of the Studium Generale....
. With the authorization of the competent veterinary AUSL (Local Health Agency) and according to Italian norms, the Italian Horse Protection Association is the only active isolation center in Italy that allows freedom of movement for horses who were found positive to the Coggins test (agar immunodiffusion).
Animalism
The IHP has been striving for recognition of equines as animals of companionship rather than just a source of income or pleasure. Such recognition would, once approved, amongst other things, help enforce a ban on equine slaughter. Above all, IHP is an animal rightsAnimal rights
Animal rights, also known as animal liberation, is the idea that the most basic interests of non-human animals should be afforded the same consideration as the similar interests of human beings...
association and the only association of its kind in Italy that deals exclusively with equines. It also supports vegetarianism
Vegetarianism
Vegetarianism encompasses the practice of following plant-based diets , with or without the inclusion of dairy products or eggs, and with the exclusion of meat...
.
Location
The Italian Horse Protection Association is located in the municipalityComune
In Italy, the comune is the basic administrative division, and may be properly approximated in casual speech by the English word township or municipality.-Importance and function:...
of Montaione
Montaione
Montaione is a comune in the Province of Florence in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 35 km southwest of Florence.-Geography:...
, in the province of Florence
Province of Florence
The Province of Florence is a province in the Tuscany region of Italy. It has an area of 3,514 sq. km and a population of 933,860 in 44 comuni....
. The equines live in open pastures on about 100 ha
Hectare
The hectare is a metric unit of area defined as 10,000 square metres , and primarily used in the measurement of land. In 1795, when the metric system was introduced, the are was defined as being 100 square metres and the hectare was thus 100 ares or 1/100 km2...
of land, under constant monitoring of the many volunteers and veterinarians of the association.
Scientific collaborations
The IHP collaborates with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Perugia for the research on Equine Infectious Anemia and equine ethologyEthology
Ethology is the scientific study of animal behavior, and a sub-topic of zoology....
, and with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pisa
University of Pisa
The University of Pisa , located in Pisa, Tuscany, is one of the oldest universities in Italy. It was formally founded on September 3, 1343 by an edict of Pope Clement VI, although there had been lectures on law in Pisa since the 11th century...
for internships on horses in freedom.