Nicole DeBasio bought this working horse livery in Italy after an eclectic lifelong adventure which has included serving in the military, being employed as a race horse exerciser, and more lately being a nomad. Wandering throughout Europe with her cousin, she found herself rescuing animals wherever there was a need, drawn to the unloved, the abandoned and the sick. She called these altruistic adventures ‘The Travelling Menagerie’. 

The moment she set eyes on the Italian horse base she knew in her heart that she had found the place to settle at last, somewhere she could call home, and in April 2023 moved in with 45 dogs, 14 horses, 18 cats and a goat! Already those figures have grown (along with the number of staff and a good turnover of visiting volunteers) and every animal is a rescue except 10 livery horses and 10 of Nicole’s own horses. Now there are also chickens, more goats and some donkeys too!