Ponies

Russell, who signs himself 'Bedford', writes that he is ready to continue experiments with Przewalski's horses and asks Ewart to send the pony mares that he wants to cross to Woburn. He comments that his Grevy's zebra is due to foal soon.

Muntz asks Ewart's advice on the best book relating to the question of colour (in breeding) of animals, particularly the horse. He has a stud of moorland ponies on Dartmoor, Devon and hopes to experiment with some of the ponies at a later date.

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.

McSparran replies to Ewart's enquiry about Cushendall ponies and informs him of two forthcoming fairs in Cushendall which will be exhibiting them.

Forsyth confirms that his colleagues have agreed to the purchase of four of Ewart's ponies and the stud farm subject to certain conditions. Forsyth recommends that Ewart contact John Ritchie to engage him under terms recommended by Lord Arthur Cecil.

Forsyth welcomes Ewart back from his travels in Mexico and states that he is enclosing a letter from Cecil about the ponies (which are in the process of being purchased by the Congested Districts Board). He makes arrangements to see Ewart.

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.

Forsyth asks Ewart to accompany him to Monkstadt (the experimental farm of the Congested Districts Board) to see the ponies. He also wishes to consult him about the some public allegations that the Congested Districts Board are reviving the Highland ponies by crossing them.

Forsyth writes that he has sent on the draft 'Sire and Service of Mares' from 1906 to Mackintosh and would be glad of any rough notes on the Monkstadt ponies (the experimental farm of the Congested Districts Board). The back of the letter contains notes in Ewart's hand on a list of names to whom he has sent his 'Tarpan' paper (possibly 'The Tarpan and its Relationship with Wild and Domestic Horses').

Letter is undated but likely to be from the year 1905.

Forsyth confirms that he has received Ewart's suggestions for the Report. He also reports that Arthur Cecil had written to him about his stallion but that he cannot take on any more ponies this year.