Visitation Policy
VISITS & TOURS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY & NO WALK-IN’s
Our facility is always closed physically for the security and safety of the equines we care for. Our main entrance is an access-controlled gate to which only volunteers and dignitary support individuals have access. We would hope that no one helps themselves through our gates and people respect that if the gate is closed to not push or pull on it. You will notice a signboard before the gates that explains a few things. Most importantly if we are open or closed. If the sign says closed then we are in fact closed. Occasions come up that require our attention and that is the main reason why that sign is there.
Some topics that require the attention of all visitors:
Hydration: We highly suggest you bring something to drink. We can provide you with water during your visit should you need it, don’t be afraid to ask.
Treats: In all fairness, we do accept treats for horses if you would like to donate. The staff and volunteers alone are the only ones allowed to give treats at SWFHR, as they understand the manner and considerations of each horse. Doing this prevents fighting, learned traits of bitting as well as ensuring the type and size of treat are commensurate with each horse’s issues.
Public Hours (Days & Hours)
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY & NO WALK-IN’s
Public Availability means the days in the week or hours in a day we are available to entertain requests of visitation by appointment.
DAYS:
7 days a week
(except when an event is planned or during times of an extreme medical problem arises)
TIMES: Unless otherwise listed on the Booking Calendar
November – March from 9 am – 3 pm
March – November from 9 am – 4 pm
* Available hours may vary according to bookings or reservations
TOUR TYPES
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY & NO WALK-IN’s
Introduction Tours: General & Group Tours are to showcase the work of an equine rescue organization plus the horses throughout the facility. Tours are broken into two sections. In the first section of the tour, we will give a brief history of SWFHR and explain some characteristics of the organization. In the last section, we will meet the horses and explain their conditions and reasons for the need to have been rescued.
Specific Tours: Volunteering and Adoption Tours are tailored to the specific reason for the tour. These tours have different time frames and fees than Introduction Tours.
No matter the tour type we strive to present your party with an enlightening experience about who we are, what we do, our rescued horses, and the plight of rescued horses in our community and abroad. We are what some call a Working Farm. Meaning our volunteers may be doing chores in and or around where the tour takes you. Tours are outdoor, riding, or walking in whatever mother nature has in store for us. With the exception of ‘Lightning’ or ‘Heavy Rain’ tours will go on.
In 2022 it was approved to increase the minimum donation to $10 per individual (13+) is a requirement for a (1) one hour General Tours.
In 2021 it was approved that a minimum donation of $5 per individual is a requirement for a (1) one hour General Tours. While our founding principles of keeping things affordable or available for even the little guy have been strained with this new rule, after 6 years of free visits it is about time. We no longer accept walk-in / off-the-street tours. All tours are by appointment. The hours available vary according to bookings or reservations.
General Tours
We have made every day of the week available for the public to schedule (on your own) a visit/tour through an online booking program. Our booking calendar provides the public the ability to select an available window to visit with us uninterrupted by distraction. The range of hours available follows our Public Hours listed above. The hours available vary according to bookings, reservations, or events. We will not overlap tours or other planned visits.
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY & NO WALK-IN’s
All tours/visits absolutely must be planed.
Days & Hours availability vary, as already planed bookings or operational needs take priority over anything else.
Tour Booking Calendar
group Tours
Group tours can not be scheduled online. You must make contact with SWFHR prior. The effort involved to provide a tour for groups larger than a family unit of approx 5, requires us to bring in more guides and this requires coordination. Group Tours pertain to Social Clubs, Retirement Homes, and School Groups to name a few examples.
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY & NO WALK-IN’s
All tours/visits absolutely must be planed.
Days & Hours availability vary, as already planed bookings or operational needs take priority over anything else.
Call to Schedule
Call us to arrange a Group Tour
Email to Schedule
Email us to arrange a Group Tour
Other Visitation Reasons
Other reasons to visit our facility may not result in a full-scale tour but we do appreciate some sort of coordination before you show up.
You may submit a request via email to info@swfhr.org or phone anytime. Reference the reason for the visit.
All tours/visits absolutely must be planed.
The availability of the choice of days is volatile as our operational needs take priority over anything else.
Focused Visit
Much like our Tours, these visits are specialized or have a specific Focus of topics preplanned with us. Examples like equine care education for girl scout troops or birthday group visits. These tours/visits range of time & fees varies depending on the group request. These tours absolutely must be planned. The availability of the choice of days is volatile as our operational needs take priority over anything else.
To apply for a Focused Visit one must first make contact with us through either Phone, Email, or Social Media. After a conversation, we will secure a date, time, and duration choice.
CONTACT US to arrange!
Donation Drop Off
call us
(to arrange your Donation Pick Up or Drop Off)
Donations are vital to our existance. Whether it be cash or items. We accept Items donated for use or resale to benefit general operations any day of the week. We do however need to ensure someone is present to process your donation. This is why we prefer you contact us prior to just showing up as we may be in the middle of a planned activity.
What do we accept?
We accept just about anything for donation.
Whether it is
used or new; horse tack/gear, hay, grain, or any associated tools.
used or new; household items, jewelry (costume or real), tools, yard tools, art, or anything like yardsale items (just like Goodwill). *The only thing we cant store and keep well is clothing.
items of new for our online auction.
What do we do with your donations?
We try our best to maximize the value of your item.
We will either:
use your donation for our operational needs
raffle or turn your donation into a fundraiser. (Hi value items only)
list your donation for an independent sale to get the best dollar amount for it.
sell your donation at either a garage or tack sale
if for some reason in such cases as garage sales if we’ve had items that just haven’t sold MULTIPLE TIMES or a product we can not use, we will donate them “forward” to another charity in the hopes it may help them.
When do we accept donations?
Pretty much any day of the week.
Times of the day however are set to not conflict with normal tasks. We know many would like to tour after a donation but we don’t always have the time. If you find yourself in that position we suggest that you choose a day where we are doing tours already as this would most defiantly conflict with our schedule. Due to our continuously busy schedule, we need to coordinate everything so we do ask that you the scheduler below help us plan things. As always you may make direct contact with us for scheduling if you so choose.
Adoption Looking
For those interested in seeing what we have available to adopt we would suggest you review what we have on either our website or Facebook first. It is customary to complete an adoption request form to indicate your intentions and to cover your interests so we can make sure no one’s time is wasted looking at equines that don’t fit your request.
Time is a valuable subject that is why we ask that you complete a request form. If you haven’t done so prior then we’ve provided a block for you to fill out prior to your request to visit. If we do not have anything fitting your request then we will contact you to offer options.
We do encourage you to review our Adoption page on our website to answer questions beforehand to streamline things.
