A panel of national experts in the field of Thoroughbred body structure – including the renowned Dr. Susan M. Stover – are scheduled to speak at a free thoroughbred soundness and injury prevention seminar on Wednesday at Emerald Downs in Auburn.

Dr. Robert Schneider and Dr. Tom Wilkinson Jr., also will speak at the seminar, which runs from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Emerald Room on the fourth floor.

Schneider a DVM and professor of equine orthopedic surgery at Washington State University, opens the seminar at 9 a.m. on the topic, “Why is this horse lame?” Schneider has more than 30 years of experience and has published multiple scientific papers and book chapters in the field of equine orthopedics. Schneider also speaks at 1:15 p.m. on, “Why we have to stop shooting the quarterback.

Stover, a DVM and professor of anatomy, physiology and cell biology at the University of California-Davis, speaks at 10 a.m. on “Causes of Fatal Injuries in Thoroughbred Horses” and at 2:15 p.m. on “Managing the Thoroughbred Racehorse to Reduce Musculoskeletal Injuries.

Stover received the Bayer Excellence in Equine Research Award presented by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council, the “Pfizer Award for Research Excellence given by the University of California, and was honored as the Outstanding Women in Thoroughbred Horse Racing by the California State Assembly.

Wilkinson of Washington State University and a DVM, speaks at 11:15 a.m. on “MRI findings from WHRC/WSU Post Mortem Research Project.”

All three speakers will participate in a panel question-and-answer session at 3:30 p.m. In addition to the guest speakers, a continental breakfast will available at 8 a.m., a buffet lunch at 12:15 p.m. and a social hour at 4:30 p.m.

Those interested in attending can RSVP by contacting Maureen Hallett at (253) 288-7006 or by e-mailing her at maureenh@emeralddowns.com.