An old gray mare named Keystone Wallis is living quietly and happily at Fair Winds Farm in Cream Ridge, N.J. The retired Standardbred harness racer hangs out with her new best friend, a Thoroughbred named Gigi.

The Dec. 19 column about Keystone Wallis and the two women who rescued her was one of Pet Tales' "greatest hits." Dozens of people e-mailed to say they were happy the mare was saved, and many horse-related websites had links to the column.

Last November, Kate Miller of Crafton noticed a listing in an Ohio sale catalog for Keystone Wallis, a horse she remembered watching at The Meadows Racetrack 20 years ago. The mare, a pacer, won more than $600,000 in purses and produced 14 foals that collectively sold for more than $300,000. Listed now as a 23-year-old "barren mare," she seemed destined for slaughter.

Ms. Miller bought Keystone Wallis at auction for $150 and paid $10 a day to board her at a Washington County barn while looking for a more permanent solution.

Ms. Miller's story was reported in The Horseman and Fair World, where famous veterinarian Patricia Hogan saw it. Dr. Hogan said she would care for Keystone Wallis for the rest of her days "because she deserves it."

After the Pet Tales column, Dr. Hogan had hundreds of hits on her website and received many e-mails. Some people asked how they could help save horses.

Meanwhile, I received three e-mails from people who said the racing industry always throws away horses, no matter how much money they win.

That's not true, at least not for some horses.

One hundred retired mares now live at Hanover Shoe Farms, 40 miles south of Harrisburg. They get the same care afforded to the very valuable horses that are still racing and breeding at one of the most successful harness racing operations in the country.

"These horses are here in our service,' said Jim Simpson, president. "It is our responsibility to care for them all of their lives even when they are no longer commercially productive."

Hanover Shoe Farms, in operation since 1926, won the Lavin Cup in 2008 from the American Association of Equine Practitioners "for outstanding service in equine welfare."

Many horse groups work to promote "responsible ownership," which includes caring for horses until the end of their days, said Salley Baker, director of public relations for the Equine Practitioners' group.

"The momentum is growing."

Many websites, including Hanover Farms' (www.hanoverpa.com), have links to the American Horse Council's website, www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org,

In recent years, about 145,000 horses have been sent to slaughter, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Not so long ago, about 300,000 were slaughtered each year.

There always have been horse lovers who save race horses, one horse at a time. They go to auctions and buy horses that aren't fast enough to race and they re-train them as "pleasure" or riding horses. Gigi is one of those. She's ridden by one of Dr. Hogan's vet techs.

Keystone Wallis is a doll," Dr. Hogan says. "She has put on weight and is very happy. She has buddied up with Gigi."

Here's hoping the tale of Keystone Wallis will help save other horses.

Many dog lovers will be fighting-mad about a new cable television show that premieres Tuesday at 10 p.m. on BET.

"The Michael Vick Project" follows the football player as he attempts to redeem his life after serving 18 months in prison for operating a dogfighting ring. The eight-part series is "part reality TV, part documentary," according to producers.

After a few episodes, please call me or e-mail me to let me know what you think.