Share your skills and resources!
The Sanctuary is a working ranch. Chores range from outdoor jobs such as animal care, ranch maintenance and gardening to indoor tasks that involve running the Gift Shop and Visitor Center. We welcome volunteers throughout the year, not just during the summer months.
Part of IRAM’s mission for the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary is to provide a research area dedicated to solving the problems of wild horse herd management.
Volunteers have the opportunity to contribute to this goal by sharing their skills and resources. Volunteer work, however, can be hard, grubby and hot. Along with beauty of the Black Hills come hot, dry and dusty conditions, especially during the summer when temperatures often exceed one-hundred degrees.
The benefits are many:
Hands-on experience at a working ranch, the satisfaction of personally contributing time and effort to the Sanctuary, a taste of life in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. Volunteers also benefit by furthering their education in animal and environmental welfare.
Our volunteers commit for a minimum of one month. We accept volunteer applications until December 31 for the following year, although early applicants are given priority.
Join the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary Volunteer Program!
Volunteer FAQs:
Learn about minimum requirements, job descriptions, accommodations, and volunteer perks!
Volunteering is an opportunity that is challenging and rewarding! Volunteer at the Sanctuary if you meet these criteria:
• Volunteers are 21 or older and in good health.
• Volunteers work at the Sanctuary for a minimum of one month.
• Volunteers provide their own transportation to the Sanctuary.
• Volunteers provide their own meals.
• Volunteers work a minimum of 35 hours a week, five days a week.
• Volunteers must sign a "Release of Liability" stating that they are responsible for their own safety, releasing IRAM from all claims of possible injury (our insurance does not cover volunteers).
Also, please note:
• Volunteers must keep their pets on a leash at all times. Animals are not allowed inside the Visitor Center.
• Volunteers cannot bring alcohol or firearms on the premises
What accommodations are available to volunteers?
• Most of our volunteers stay in their own motor homes or at motels located in the nearby town of Hot Springs.
• RV Space: We currently have two RV spaces with hook-ups for electricity, water and sewer.
• Hot Springs South Dakota: Located 13 miles north of the Sanctuary, there are several inexpensive motels in Hot Springs.
• Campers: We currently have two campers for volunteers.
These are answers to the most frequently asked questions we receive from prospective volunteers.
What types of chores do volunteers perform?
Here’s a summary of the types of jobs that volunteers fill at the Sanctuary. A complete list is provided on the volunteer application:
• Ranch chores: There never is a shortage of ranch work and as you see from the list on the application, chores are hard physical labor and can involve heavy lifting.
• Gift Shop & Visitor Center: This involves meeting the public, retail sales and keeping the Shop and Center in tip-top shape.
• Tour guide: Drive a school bus and give a talk on the Sanctuary and the wild horses.
• Office work: Since the office serves as the administration and communication center of the ranch, a wide range of duties are needed.
• It is important to note that, in order to protect the natural environment for our wild horses, we don’t ride horses. Although there are a few exceptions, volunteers do not work directly with the wild horses.
• Occasionally, we have special projects: We are recruiting capable volunteers to work for 4-6 weeks, disassembling and reassembling a 1880s Sanctuary log cabin.
What advantages accompany volunteering at the Sanctuary?
• A complimentary IRAM tee-shirt & cap.
• A 25% discount at our Gift Shop.
• A VIP card granting volunteers discounts to over 45 local attractions.
• Use of a washer & dryer.
• Access to e-mail.
• If you itemize taxes, you may write off your mileage to and from the Sanctuary.
Volunteer Application: For more information or an application please contact Susan Watt at 800-252-6652 or iram@gwtc.net
Toll Free:800-252-6652
Fax: 605-745-4339
P.O. Box 998 Hot Springs, SD 57747
Email: iram@gwtc.net
Sponsor a Wild Mustang
Foal Sales
Gift Shop
Dayton O. Hyde, Founder
Article Archives
President: Dayton O. Hyde
Secretary: Robert Friese
Treasurer: Richard Blue
Program Development:
Susan W. Watt
Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary
P.O. Box 998
Hot Springs, SD 57747
www.wildmustangs.com
A 501 c 3 non profit corporation
registered in the state of
South Dakota
Federal Tax Number
46-0401462
Toll Free: 1-800-252-6652
or 1-605-745-5955
Fax:1-605-745-4339
Email: iram@gwtc.net
Have adventures as a volunteer!!!
Adam lends a hand feeding one of our orphan foals this summer. The tender loving care that the young orphans receive from the volunteers keep them growing strong. Our goal is for the young orphan foals to find kind and loving homes.
Hal installs a new kiosk at the Visitor’s Center. His skill as a carpenter is evident with all the wonderful woodwork he has created from the picnic tables to the corrals to the display shelves in the Gift Shop.
This photo of Nancy shows the loving care that the Native Plant Garden receives from the many volunteers that help to keep the Visitor’s Center looking so beautiful. The visitors really enjoy seeing the lovely flowers when they visit.
Lloyd and Suzanne have volunteered all summer taking hay and grain out to the wild horses. Pictured here giving the elderly BLM mare Shady Lady her portion of hay for the morning.
Volunteer Rita Fraune feeding the yeariling mustang fillies.