An incredible & much loved 40 yr old pony who had lived a full, happy & healthy life was the donor for the 'No Foot No Horse' anatomy lecture given by farrier Ben Perks on 1st May at the Customs Club.

Bens very understanding wife Sandra also came to help, armed with raffle prizes & grateful to now have some extra room in her now leg free freezer!

Ben did not disappoint the curious but nervous audience, not sure what to expect & anxious whether they would want their tea when they got home! He delivered a very informative & fascinating evening which he made incredibly entertaining along the way.

It was amazing to see how the leg & foot are actually put together & so much easier to relate to than the diagrams that we are all so used to seeing. For those of us who are studying for our stage 3 Riding Club exams, it was an un missable evening & will hopefully stand us in good stead when we nervously try & recount it all to Zara in the exam!

Those that wanted to were able to get up close & see exactly how things fitted together & worked in conjunction with each other. We were able to ask & have answered in 'laymans terms' any questions, many of which everyone in the room could relate to in some way. As well as the foot & leg anatomy being covered, Ben explained how various situations that effect the foot actually affect the whole body n some way & even the most experienced of horse people amongst us, felt that they had learned something. As the saying goes 'you never stop learning'.

A big thank you to everyone, both DRC members & non members who supported this event. The evenings proceeds went to the charity of Bens choice which is CLICsargant who care for children & young people with cancer. I am pleased to report that the evening raised £97.50 which Ben & Sandra gratefully accepted on behalf of the charity.

Due to the interest this evening has generated I'm very pleased to say that Ben has agreed to give another lecture in the Autumn, so please contact me if you would like to attend. Dates to be announced in a later newsletter. 

ginny.coward@ntlworld.com