Saying goodbye is never easy, but for Janet Rowe, founder of Saving Grace Equine Rescue, there has never been a sweeter sorrow.

When Ms. Rowe says goodbye she knows she has given a horse or pony, not only a new home, but as she says "a new lease on life."

"I've had quite good success thus far."

That's the concept behind the solo-run rescue service she began in 2000 with funding from her own pocket.

Of course she can't save everyone, and in some cases, all she can do is provide the horse with a peaceful death, as was the case with Hank. He was a thoroughbred that although he didn't look too bad from the outside, had abscesses in his lungs.

Oddly enough, Ms. Rowe will always take the horse in the worst condition. "I'll give everybody a chance," she says. "Right now there's nothing I would turn away.

"If it is a decision between one or two, I take the one in the worst condition," she said. "The one that would get killed along the way (to be slaughtered)."

Though many horse enthusiasts are proactive in their stance against slaughter, as Ms. Rowe explains, she does not veto slaughter for meat - meat consumption is a part of life.

Ms. Rowe is quick to point out the meat men are only doing their job, and she is doing hers.

What gets her back up is the treatment of the animals. Once a horse is sold for slaughter there is no legislation regulating their treatment. As long as the horse is on three legs they can be literally tossed in the truck and shipped off, often experiencing a painful and horrible death.

Ms. Rowe began her rescue mission in 2000 while attending a meat auction in Kitchener.

"There was an old mare (named Gracie) there, in pathetic condition," she said. "She was an absolute bone rack. The meat guys didn't even want her. I got her for about five or ten cents a pound."

Being a self proclaimed "sap" Ms. Rowe's heart went out to her. "She was the first one, (in the rescue) but she didn't make it."

Even still, Ms. Rowe continued in her efforts to assist horses in desperate need of a second chance.

"I named the rescue after her and it went from there."

Currently Ms. Rowe has four horses in the rescue, one of which (Loki) is a permanent resident, and another will be arriving in the near future. "He's a rescue gone right," she says of the friendly 17.1 hh warmblood gelding.

Of course, as anyone familiar with the equine industry knows, caring for horses is expensive. Ms. Rowe fronts the majority of the bills, despite the cost.

"If they need it (treatment), I'll get it," she says.

Depending on the condition of the animal, costs can vary anywhere from a few hundred for feet and worming, to a couple thousand dollars for veterinarian treatment.

The most effective and cost efficient method of rehabilitation is love - and Ms. Rowe has plenty to give.

"I think my parents put me on a pony when I was three and it was game over then," she says. "Horses are my life."

Ms. Rowe says her chance meeting of Monica McKenzie, owner of Shambhala Equestrian Centre, while searching for her a riding establishment for her own show-jumping and eventing purposes, ended up assisting her rescue mission.

"It's unbelievable the way she's helping out," Ms. Rowe said of Ms. McKenzie. "I totally couldn't appreciate it more than I do." Ms. McKenzie has provided not only shelter for the rescuees but also special equine therapies which she offers from her Moffat stable.

Though it may seem small scale in comparison to the number of horses slaughtered yearly, every effort helps and Ms. Rowe has been able to save about 10 horses and ponies through her solo rescue efforts.

And from her successful experiences, a chance as well as respect and love, is all a horse or pony needs.

"At the present time, I'm doing what I can and I'll go from there," she says. "I'll give everybody a chance."

Last year, Ms. Rowe was able to hold the first of hopefully many, fundraisers to raise funds for her cause. She held a garage/bake sale from her Toronto home. Though money is always an issue, Ms. Rowe said volunteering is also very important.

"Right now it's the manpower that really needs to come into play," she says. She hopes to further the rescue as the year unfolds and would appreciate any help from the community.

For more information on Saving Grace Equine Rescue you can contact Janet Rowe at 416-561-2038 or by email at   savinggrace007@hotmail.com