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

Hayes writes that Ewart and 'Master Arthur' will get copies of The Points of the Horse shortly, He reports that he has been in a 'state of mental collapse' since sending the book off to press. He comments disparagingly about Richard Lydekker's recent article in The Field.

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 states that he hopes Ewart received the pulls of blocks he had produced from the negatives of the Norwegian pony and the long-maned pony, bay and foal. He has also recently received some photographs of typical Australian and Chinese ponies. He is pleased that Ewart thinks favourably of the idea of the two of them collaborating on the writing of a book on horse breeding and proposes to first publish a few articles in the Live Stock Journal.