The reins are held in the full hand, the thumb pressing them lightly upon the second joint of the forefinger. By means of closing and relaxing the fingers and flexing the wrist, arm, and shoulder, the trooper, while maintaining contact and keeping the reins taut, follows easily the movements of the head of the horse without anticipating or interfering with these movements. The hand is then said to be passive. It is kept so as long as the trooper is not required to change the pace, gait, or direction. =203.= =The direct rein=: When the trooper, with the hands separated and the reins adjusted, closes his fingers upon the reins without raising the hands he exercises an action from front to rear, called the effect of the direct reins. This effect, when on one rein only, is called that of the =right (or left) direct rein=. =204.= =The leading rein=: When the trooper carries the right hand to the right and forward in a manner to preserve contact but not to increase pressure on the bit the effect is called that of the =right leading rein=. The back of the hand should remain vertical, the wrist in prolongation of the forearm, the elbow remaining near the body. The horse's head and neck are drawn to the right, the shoulders follow, and he turns to the right. =205.= =The bearing rein=: When the trooper carries the right hand forward, upward, and to the left in a manner to preserve contact, but not to increase pressure on the bit, the effect is said to be that of the =right bearing rein=. The back of the hand should remain vertical, the wrist in prolongation of the forearm. The horse's head is =turned slightly to the right=, but the effect is to the left; the neck bends and is convex to the left and is followed by the shoulders. The horse turns to the left. The action of the bearing rein is much more powerful than that of the leading rein, and is used to the exclusion of the latter to turn the horse when riding with the reins in one hand. =206.= =The indirect rein of opposition=: When the trooper carries the right hand to the left in a manner to press the shoulders to the left and to produce a diagonal traction on the rein in the direction of the left shoulder or haunch the effect is called that of the =right indirect rein of opposition=. Its effect may be produced =in front of the withers= if the hand be slightly raised; =in rear pf the withers= if the hand be slightly lowered. It is frequently used by the trooper when riding with one hand (as he must do in order to use his weapons), and its effect should be studied and practiced from, the beginning.