Willoughby, who signs himself 'Middleton', thanks Ewart for sending him his paper. He comments on the retreat of the ponies belonging to the Ross Mountain Battery from the Dardanelles. He heard from the director of army remounts that when the Lovat scouts were dismounted all their mates were returned to Scotland and sold at various places.

Willoughby, who signs himself 'Middleton', thanks Ewart for the photograph he sent and provides one of his pony (not present). He reports that the daughter of the white-maned mare at Applecross has just foaled to a thoroughbred horse and writes that he will consider the prospect of Ewart's pony going to Applecross.

Cecil writes that he hopes Lord Middleton will buy 'McNeil' as he would suit his mares at Applecross and describes the Middletons' tour around the West Highlands of Scotland to view the crofters' ponies. He reports that a half-Welsh, half-Hackney horse cross has provided successful at Baron Schroder's in Strathcarron and at Guisachan. He is surprised to learn that none of the crossbred ponies are fetching a higher price in the market than the old crofters' breed of ponies.

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.