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Red Shores Racetrack improvements also helping horses' health

A P.E.I. veterinarian says the new horse barns at the Red Shores Racetrack in Charlottetown are making a big impact on horse health.

Dr. Colleen Dickie is a large animal veterinarian and the head of the Prince Edward Island Standardbred Horse Owners Association.

Dickie says fewer horses are getting what's known as inflammatory airway disease due to improved ventilation in the new barns.

She also sees improvement in the horses' legs.

"Their horses actually seem sounder," she said. "They don't necessarily have as many lameness issues as they do and one of the reasons for that is the flooring in the stalls."

The provincial and federal governments paid $1.5 million for the new barns, with the Standardbred Horse Owners Association contributing $500,000.

"We're definitely the envy of the Maritimes when it comes to harness racing," Dickie said.