Marchino arrived at the IHP Rescue Center in July 2014, during the final stages of the rescue operation in Colleferro, in the province of Rome. He had grown up in the wild: unapproachable, wary, accustomed to rules different from those of humans. He wasn’t a “difficult” horse; he simply had never had a good reason to trust anyone. Before attempting any approach work, we gave him time, space, and peace of mind, as well as the chance to socialize with the herd and learn that this place was safe.

Today, Marchino is a beautiful piebald who retains all the charm of wild horses: he allows himself to be handled, but demands respect, and just one wrong move is enough to put him on the defensive. He is a proud and honest horse. Together with Bardo and Falcor, he forms an inseparable trio, famous at the Center for their cunning and their ability to always find a way to break through the fences and wander off. It’s no surprise we call them “the troublemakers.”