We've wondered how the the hobbits will be made to look small against other animals like horses etc. Looks like one option may be the use of really huge animals. I talked to somebody who owns the world's largest cattlebeast, a South Devon steer. He weighs two tonnes (well over 4000lbs) and stands over six feet high. Already a local celebrity in Levin, Big Red has been approached to play a part in the movies. They were going to ship him to 'near Hamilton' (which is where Hobbiton is located) but Big Red doesn't travel well.

I asked if Big Red would have to do anything special but the owners thought he might be more of a backdrop to make the hobbits looks smaller. I wonder if the casting agents are scouring the country for enormous chickens and giant cabbages and so on?