294 



EQUESTRIANISM. 



"I feel no more fatigued than I did this morning when I started 

 for Boston." 



This is only one of the many cases that have come under my 

 observation of regaining health from this exercise. Let every one 

 have good practical training if possible, but get the exercise at all 

 events, if you cannot have the training. 



In corroboration of what Mr. Robinson says on the beneficial 

 effects of horseback-riding, I copy the following paragraphs from a 



Fig. 363.— A Good Position. 



valuable little work on " Horseback-Riding from a Medical Stands- 

 point," by Dr. Durant, of New York : — 



Horseback-riding, as we have seen, is one of the most energetic modifiers of the 

 circulation ; it distributes the blood equally to every part of the capillary net-work, 

 giving to each part its due proportion, by maintaining a due tension in every part by 

 equalizing the temperature ; it prevents' equally anaemia and hypersemia, and san- 

 guineous stagnation, by the impulsion which it gives to the circulatory phenomena, 

 and aids nutrition by the acceleration of the respiratory and digestive phenomena. 

 It is by its effect upon the reactions of the blood to the nervous system that horse- 

 back-riding produces such a happy influence. 



The effect of horseback-riding upon the functions of the system is especially re 

 inarkable upon that of digestion. It stimulates the appetite, excites and perfects di- 



