According to an article in today’s edition of The Province, two horses stabled at Fraser Downs for the upcoming Cloverdale Rodeo have been diagnosed with Strangles.

"There was one that was sick - a couple of weeks ago - and I learned of one just yesterday,” said Chuck Keeling, Vice-President of Great Canadian Gaming. “It's not an outbreak, but it is a concern, absolutely, with something this contagious."

Officials of the Cloverdale Rodeo are awaiting an update from Dr. Ed Wiebe – a volunteer veterinarian - on the status of the 500 horses stabled at the track.

“We’re going to proceed, based on recommendations from out vet Dr. Wiebe,” said Laura Ballance, spokeswoman for the Cloverdale Rodeo. "If it means relocating the animals, that's what we'll do. We'll do whatever is necessary to make sure these animals are safe when they come here to the event on the May long weekend."

To read the article in its entirety, click here.