University of Edinburgh Archive and Manuscript Collections

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Oliphant reports that the last-born colt foal from Ewart's pony mare has died after being injured by some steers or a young bull. He asks what the arrangement will be about the pony mares and whether they are to purchase them from Ewart.

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Cecil states that she has never come across an Arab horse in Hungary, or a Hungarian horse with a white mane and tail. She reports on the sales of ponies they made recently and that their Scotch terrier has had puppies. She concludes by saying 'I am so glad you are looking at tails and not warts anymore!'

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MacDonald states that he does not require the young stallion back and asks Ewart to let him know if anyone wishes to buy another of his stallions. He speculates that the Congested Districts Board might pay him a premium for the use of either of his stallions as studs to the crofters' ponies.

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Forsyth reports that the Congested Districts Board are now ceasing to breed ponies for the crofters as they believe they now have enough stock to keep them going. He thinks that the Board would be happy to purchase the ponies 'Fatima II' and 'Rhona' with their foals and agrees with Ewart that a Highland Pony Society should be formed to make for fairer judging between different breeds.

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Forsyth instructs Ewart not to answer the recent letter in The Oban Times from a J. Macleod. He reports that Maclean of Nunton wants £25 to £30 premium for his stallion to serve in Benbecula but he has instructed the office of the Congested Districts Board not to offer more than £10. He is buying the yellow dun mare from Ritchie and will send for the Connemara pony. He concludes that there will be no Scottish Land Legislation this year.

Scope and Contents Campbell writes that he is sending Ewart a copy of the Department of Agriculture's Live Stock Schemes for 1903/4 and a copy of the Department's Register of Stallions for 1904. He reports that the Department owns 20 stallions in the west of Ireland which are not eligible to serve nominated mares under the Department's General Horse Breeding Scheme. He reports that there are two stallions for sale on the Department's stud farm at Shankill near Dublin. Campbell invites Ewart to send a...

Scope and Contents Haveley describes his recent travels around Devon searching for pack horses and provides details on a pack stallion, although he is convinced that the Board of Agriculture will not buy him for the County. He proposes to gather together the names of men interested in horse breeding to purchase him, and also 10 to 15 of the best old pack mares. He is convinced that in six years time there will be a great demand for pack stallions by the Board of Agriculture and foreign governments. He reports...

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Cecil describes the estimate he has provided to the Congested Districts Board as to the price of the studs and horses intended for cross-breeding with the crofters' animals.

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Cecil writes that since he has not heard from Lord Middleton, he will send his pony 'McNeil' to Croall's. He reports that the crofters usually buy their ponies from each other but they are complaining that they are being bred too light of bone for heavy work.

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Singh writes that he is not sure about purchasing the Arab mare 'Wild Rose' as his stables are full, unless the horse is 'pure Arab and as near perfection as can be.' He leaves the judgement to Ewart.