In the Sahara, they put the shoes on cold. In the foot of the horse, say the Arabs, there are hollow interstices, such as the frog, the heel, etc., which it is always dangerous to heat, if only by the approach of the hot iron. This aversion for the hot iron, founded on the destructive action of heat on the delicate parts of the foot, is so strong among them that in bivouacs, when they see us shoeing our horses, they exclaim: "Look at those Christians pouring oil upon fire!" In a word, they cannot understand why—especially in long marches, when the exercise draws the blood down to the foot of the horse—any one should wish to increase this natural heat by the action of heated iron. The shoes are very light, of a soft, pliant metal. In the fore-shoes only three nails are driven in on each side. The toes are free, and never fastened. According to the Arabs, nails in the toe would interfere with the elasticity of the foot, and would cause the horse at the moment he sets his foot on the ground precisely the same sensation that a man experiences from wearing a tight shoe. Many accidents thence ensue. The feet are neither pared nor shortened. The hoof is allowed to grow freely, the very stony ground and incessant work sufficing to wear it off naturally as it tries to get beyond the iron. The necessity of paring the feet is only felt when horses have been for a long time fastened in front of the tent without doing any work, or have remained long in the Tell. In such a case the Arabs simply make use of the sharp-pointed knives which they are never without. This method has this further advantage that if a horse casts a shoe, he can still proceed on his journey, as the sole remains firm and hard. "With you," say they, "and with your practise of paring the foot, if the horse casts a shoe you must pull up, or see him bleeding, halting and suffering."