Hi, I'm Övünç! I'm a veterinary medicine student in Turkey and I want to become an equine vet. In the summer of 2026 I spent two months volunteering at IHP (Italian Horse Protection) in Tuscany, and it added a great deal to my professional outlook.

IHP is far more than a shelter. It is a true equine welfare and rehabilitation centre, where horses live free from exploitation, in vast open spaces, as a herd. Some of my best memories are of the people I met: sharing early mornings and hard work with volunteers from all over the world, making new friends, and spending time together at the end of the day. Along the way I gained discipline, reliability and the confidence to take initiative in the horses' daily care.

Our days started at 5:30. By 6:00 we were on shift: first checking every horse, then preparing feed, then helping the team with routine treatments. There were elderly horses, asthmatic horses and horses with severe lameness, each with different needs.

Luna stayed with me the most. She has an invisible illness that still hasn't been diagnosed despite extensive testing. Watching the team care for her with patience and persistence taught me that equine medicine doesn't always give clear answers, and that sometimes the work is to keep looking. IHP is currently running a fundraising campaign to cover Luna's treatment costs.

Observing the herds was a lesson of its own. I saw how strongly the horses bond with one another and how they communicate, and I learned a great deal about herd dynamics just by watching. When it comes to safe handling, the biggest lesson was simple: safety comes first. Entering a paddock, leaving it, approaching a horse, every single step.

This experience gave me a work ethic that isn't afraid of getting my hands dirty, and it sharpened my goal of becoming a clinician who practises to international standards and respects the nature and welfare of the horse. Thank you to the IHP family and to the horses who taught me so much!