The fourth edition of the Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit will feature a “Prevention vs. Reaction” theme when it is held at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky., on Tuesday, October 16, and Wednesday, October 17, 2012.

The summit, which is underwritten and coordinated by the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and The Jockey Club and hosted by Keeneland Association, will once again bring together participants representing a broad cross-section of industry leaders and stakeholders to evaluate equine health issues and priorities.

For the first time, the entire summit will be open to the public. A live video stream of the proceedings will again be available on the Keeneland and Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation websites (keeneland.com and grayson-jockeyclub.org).

“The first three summits have served as the launching pad for a number of safety-related enhancements in our industry, and we are confident that we will follow a similar path this year,” said Edward L. Bowen, president of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. “Discussions at previous summits have led to the creation of initiatives such as the Equine Injury Database, the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory, a Uniform Trainers Test and Study Guide, and numerous safety rule modifications with respect to shoeing, helmets, vests, and licensee testing.”

The Tuesday session will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. The morning sessions will feature:

• Dr. Mick Peterson — Identification of Illegal Riding Crops and an Update from the Racetrack Surfaces Testing Laboratory
• Matt Iuliano — Reformed Racing Medication Rules Update
• Kellyn Gorder, Tom Proctor, and Phil Sims — An Honest Look at Racing (a trainer panel with an open discussion on horsemanship and training practices)

The Tuesday afternoon session will feature:

• Dr. Mary Scollay — Pre-Race Inspections: Why are they so Important?
• Dr. Tim Parkin — Equine Injury Database Update
• Dr. Larry Bramlage — Selected Effects of Training and Racing on the Musculoskeletal System
• Dr. Wayne McIlwraith — Corticosteroids and the Horse in Training
• Trainer Education Panel featuring the Racehorse Injury Prevention Program and Indiana Horse Racing Board
• Safety Committee at Racetracks Panel

The Wednesday morning session will feature:

• Racing Commissioners Panel — Implementing Safety Initiatives
• Totally Aftercare Panel — Continuing the Push for Aftercare Programs

“Keeneland is proud to play host to the Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit for a fourth time,” said Bill Thomason, the president and chief executive officer of Keeneland Association. “Our facilities, our location and, above all, our ongoing commitment to equine health make this a favorable venue for such an important event.”

The Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners, the Indiana Horse Racing Commission, and the Racing Officials Accreditation Program have all approved the summit for their respective continuing education programs.

More information about the upcoming summit is available at http://www.grayson-jockeyclub.org/WelfareSafety/default.asp.