Meet the Humans

Every horse and rider deserves an Ertu.

Meet Ertu, our Manager and the heart and hands behind the training and teaching at Dalyan Rescue Ranch. With over 18 years of experience working with horses, Ertu is a true horseman - one who deeply understands the powerful, intuitive connection between horse and rider. For the past ten years, he’s also been a licensed athlete in horse archery, blending tradition, discipline, and grace in a sport that demands both skill and trust.

What makes Ertu exceptional isn’t just his knowledge - it’s his belief in the importance of horse husbandry and building bonds through respect, patience, and care. In a world where true horse trainers are rare, Ertu stands out as someone who puts the horse’s wellbeing first, creating a strong foundation that leads to confident and connected riding. His teaching style is calm, encouraging, and effective and he has a natural ability to help even the most nervous riders feel relaxed and at ease in no time.

Always smiling and full of positive energy, Ertu goes above and beyond to make every visitor feel welcome and every horse feel safe. His dedication to the animals and to our mission is unmatched, and we feel truly blessed to have him as our Ranch Manager and Trainer. If you've ever dreamed of learning from someone with both talent and heart, Ertu is the one you've been waiting to meet.

Meet Savarna - the little human who started it all
Ertu's sidekick!

Born with a deep, unshakable love for animals, she’s always had a special connection with every creature she met. Animals naturally gravitate toward her, and from a young age, it was clear - this wasn’t just a phase, it was part of who she is. She began riding horses at just three years old and instantly fell in love. The bond between her and the animals is something truly special, a mutual understanding without words.

Savarna can’t bear to hear or see animals suffer - it brings her to tears. Her heart is wide open, and her compassion runs deep. With a mother who shared the same big dreams, the two set out to create Dalyan Rescue Ranch—step by step, with faith, grit, and a whole lot of love. Some days, they look around and wonder how they’ve made it this far, but the answer is simple: determination, prayer, and a deep purpose.

Today, Savarna is not only a gifted young rider but a passionate educator who loves sharing everything she knows about the animals. She’s Ertu’s little sidekick, soaking up his wisdom and learning every day. Her energy, drive, and genuine love for what she does inspires everyone who visits. Come meet Savarna and see firsthand the power of following your passion, no matter how small you are when you start.