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Comment by Ranna on October 28, 2010 at 3:03pm

Hi Patience,
Did you have his back and saddle checked out? Is the saddlefit ok?
If so, start with a halting a splitsecond and before your horse starts to play up, go forward again. Pet him if he did good. Build on that splitsecond, make it two splitseconds. Read his reactions and don't do anything more than your horse can handle.
Using clickertraining can help you with these kinds of problems but first you have to make sure his back/body and saddle/saddlefit is alright.
Goodluck.

Comment by Jackie Cochran on October 27, 2010 at 7:19pm

What I would do is go back to the lunge line, no side reins, and teach voice commands. That way if he bucks or rears you don't have to worry about falling off or whomping him on the back! If he halts with no problem on the lunge you can use the voice command as an aid for a while.
Is he reluctant to halt when he is loose in the pasture?
What aids are you giving for the halt? Rein aids? Seat aids?
IF you can find a good trainer you need to have the horse AND you retrained some. Pick a trainer CAREFULLY. Are you taking lessons? What does your teacher say?
I know this is not any fun for you to ride.