29/01/2026

In the heart of last summer, IHP received a request for help for a little pony named Lilli, the victim of a serious accident that irreparably damaged one of her hind legs. Her story was shared with us by the managers of an equestrian center that welcomes children and offers them activities with ponies: they asked for our support to help cover the costs needed to give Lilli a second chance. The pony required an extremely complex surgical procedure—the amputation of part of the limb—followed by the fitting of a prosthesis that would allow her to continue living a peaceful life.

IHP is firmly opposed to any use of equids, including their employment in riding schools, equestrian centers, and institutions that profit from the “work” of animals who, if their true ethological needs were genuinely respected, should simply be left free to graze in the company of their own kind.

We reflected for a long time on what the right decision should be.
Lilli is not “just” a pony: for many of the children at the school who knew her, she was a friend, a playmate, and their first real encounter with the animal world. Lilli was certainly not to blame. And so we decided to fully cover the very high costs of her surgery and treatment. We chose to extend a concrete helping hand even to those who see her in a very different way from us. We did so because, for us, every single living being matters—even when they are of no “use.”

The guiding principle behind our choices is always the animal’s well-being. Even though we receive no public funding and rely solely on donations from our supporters, we chose to pay for a complex surgical operation and a rehabilitation process whose outcome was far from guaranteed. And Lilli made it. Little by little, she learned how to move with her prosthesis and today, at last, she is peacefully enjoying her “retirement” and the affection of the children who attend the center.

This was not the first time IHP had dealt with a case like this: years ago, the same happened with Carolina, a pony found in critical condition and saved thanks to surgery and a prosthesis that restored her mobility and joy of life. After so many years, Carolina is alive and well. Her story has shown that when we put the animal’s well-being at the center, rather than our own utility or entertainment, we can achieve results that once seemed impossible. Carolina is living proof of how respect and care can transform a life. We hope that Lilli, too, has a long life ahead of her.

For us, Lilli is a source of joy because she gives meaning to what we do every day. Lilli’s story carries a clear message: respect for equids means listening to their natural needs, allowing them to live freely and in the company of their own kind. It means gradually abandoning the idea that their value is tied to our entertainment or profit. IHP exists for this reason—to support this cultural shift by working every day and by extending a hand even to those who, for now, think differently.

We thank everyone who will support Lilli, and we invite all to reflect with us on how to build a future in which every equid can live according to their nature: free from exploitation, appreciated for who they are, and respected to the fullest.

WATCH LILLI'S PHOTOS

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