IIORSE-BACK RIDING. 39 



Horse-back riding is therefore a general education 

 of all the muscles much superior to that of fencing, 

 for example, which includes that of only one member 

 totally neglecting the other. This explains why the 

 right arm is more developed than the left, in fencing 

 masters and those who practice fencing much, and 

 that the right shoulder is so much higher than the 

 other — the passes and thrusts being more frequent 

 with the right hand than with the left. On the other 

 hand, the left leg is much more developed than the 

 right, because upon it rests the whole weight of the 

 body. 



2. Circulation. — We liave seen how the circulation 

 of blood is accelerated in a muscle during contrac- 

 tion, and we have noted also tlie great number of 

 muscles which participate in horse-back riding ; it is 

 not difficult, therefore, to conceive what an influence 

 it might exert upon the phenomena of circulation. 

 The impulse originating in the muscles extends to 

 the whole circulatory apparatus, the blood moves 

 everywhere with new force, the capillaries are in- 

 vaded on every side by the torrent seeking an outlet, 

 the swollen veins pour their surplus into the heart, 

 the general commotion communicates itself to the 

 central organ of the circulation, the venous blood is 

 driven into the lungs, where it is exposed to the 

 closest possible contact with the air, and there parts 

 with its useless constituents, imbibing oxygen in their 

 stead, and, impelled by a fresh wave, it hastens back 



