Hayes, Matthew Horace, 1842-1904 (veterinarian and author on horses)

Hayes requests photographs of Connemara ponies for the third edition of Points of the Horse which he is preparing.

Hayes thanks Ewart for his article on Connemara ponies and agrees with his notion that the breed is no longer pure, having seen examples in Galway that winter. He is reminded that as a boy he had seen a distinct breed of Kerry pony, which has now become extinct. He adds that the Batak or Deli pony is fast losing its distinctiveness due to excessive breeding with Arab ponies.

Hayes replies to Ewart's invitation to visit him at Penicuik, stating that is able to put his research to one side in order to make the trip. He adds that the Duke of Bedford has given him the opportunity to take photographs of his Przewalski's horses, some of which he intends to send on to Ewart.

Hayes requests the opportunity to come to Penicuik to photograph Ewart's animals.

Hayes announces that due to the bad weather he will be unable to come and photograph Ewart's animals for another week or two.

Hayes repeats his desire to visit Ewart again in Scotland and to take photographs of his animals.

Hayes provides information about the twice winner of the Grand National, 'Manifesto'. He adds that he does not consider any of the photographs Ewart had enclosed sharp enough for reproduction.

Hayes enquires how he could get a copy of Ewart's paper about 'Callosities and the wartless pony'. He also would like to know whether the breed Equus caballus came directly from North America or through its ancestors pliohippus or protohippus. He mentions a paper that Professor William Ridgeway has sent him on the origin of the thoroughbred horse. He also invites Ewart to visit him for hunting.

Hayes expresses regret that Ewart's paper on callosites and the wartless pony will not be published for some time, as he had wanted to include it in his new edition of Points of the Horse. He invites Ewart to go hunting and discusses the dental arrangment of the ass, stating that the ass belongs to an older equine order than the horse.

Hayes informs Ewart that he is thanking 'Master Arthur' for sending him negatives and prints of a rabbit hybrid. He encloses a chapter on 'Evolution of the Horse' for Ewart's corrections and additions. He goes on to state that he is in the process of drawing up an agreement with the publishers Blackett about the translation of an article.