Odiham Agricultural Society

The next step was agreed at the meeting on 17 June 1786[5] at which it was resolved to set up the Farriery Fund: "For the breed, management and improvement of horses, cows, sheep and hogs – for the best fully authenticated cures of diseases incident to horses etc, for accurate registers of dairies – for registers of management, profit and loss of a flock of sheep etc" Another member of the Society now played their part.

Arthur Young, an author and traveller,[5] who joined the Society in 1785, spent time in France during 1787 and visited the French veterinary school near Paris.

In the 5 August 1789 minutes of the Society,[7] under his influence it was resolved that: "From the information collected on this subject it appears that the improvement of Farriery would be most effectually promoted by the Regular Education in that Art on Medical and Anatomical principles.

In October 1789 Penn met a Frenchman named Benoit Vial de St. Bel[8] who was in England finding out about agriculture and thoroughbred horses.

The combined efforts of Penn and St Bel resulted in a plan for an English school and, for the first time, someone who could provide the teaching experience required.

In order to raise money rapidly, he sought large subscriptions from sponsors and patrons, who would become the first governors of a new "College or Body Associating for the purpose of encouraging Veterinary Science" and which would direct the schools.

[10][11] The meeting also appointed a new London Committee of the Odiham Agricultural Society, that included the President, Lord Rivers, and also Burgess and Penn.

At the inaugural meeting of the London Committee on 3 November 1790,[12] Burgess had all related resolutions of the parent Odiham Society read out and recorded in detail in the new Minute Book, with the result that these were captured for posterity.