ARAB TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS. 21^ 



Under the Emperor Michael of Constantinople 

 (1038) the horses of the Greek cavalry were shod. The 

 Sicilian horses also at that period had their hoofs pro- 

 tected in this manner. 



The Arabs themselves say their first farriers came to 

 them from towns on the sea-board : such as Fez, Tunis, 

 Masarca, Tlemcen, and Constantine, since when their 

 knowledge and their calling have been perpetuated in 

 certain families from generation to generation. 



The practice of shoeing among these people is curious, 

 and would almost indicate an independent origin, as well 

 as a high antiquity. Contrary to the accepted opinion, 

 says General Daumas,' the Arabs of the Sahara are in the 

 custom of shoeing their horses, whether on the two fore- 

 feet, or on all four, according to the nature of the ground 

 they occupy. Those who shoe them on all four feet are 

 the inhabitants of the stony districts, and these constitute 

 the majority. It is the universal practice to take the 

 shoes off in the spring, when the animals are turned out 

 to grass ; the Arabs asserting that care must be taken not 

 to check the renewal of the blood which takes place at 

 that season of the year. 



The horse-shoes are kept ready made, and always com- 

 mand a sure sale, the Arabs being in the habit of laying 

 in their supply for the whole year, consisting of four sets 

 for the fore-feet, and four for the hind-feet. The nails 

 are likewise made by the farriers. When a horseman 

 goes to a farrier, taking his shoes with him, the latter is paid 

 by his privileges, and when the horse is shod, its master 

 gets on its back, merely saying : ' Allah, have mercy on 

 ' Les Chevaux du Sahara. Pans, 1862. 



