Eeeek, just my opinion, but never use side reins on a green horse :S It teaches them to be heavy in the bit and on the forehand and then it puts you back a million paces when you start asking for collection and roundness and softness. Side reins can be very beneficial in an experienced, advanced level horse however, or under the supervision of a forgiving, experienced trainer.

Sounds like you need to get his attention and soften his mouth. A relaxed and active jaw means a relaxed and attentive mount. Control the mouth = control the head/neck = control the shoulders. It all comes hand in hand. Look up Philippe Karl on Youtube etc and find what you can about flexions and neck extensions.

First you need to get his mouth by playing with the reins. Does he chew/lick and is he soft and giving? if he is hard and heavy and there is no movement, experiment with different pressures, in an upward motion (like a vibration on the reins - zeet-zeet-zeeet!- so its in the top corners of his mouth until you get a nice chewing motion (note: grinding is bad - chewing/licking is good lol).

He needs to learn to respect the contact - to be nice and light and soft.

I would suggest you do some bending exercises. Start at a halt, take the left rein, turn your hand so your palm is facing up then in an upwards and slightly outwards direction draw your palm to you shoulder so the horses head bends towards you (like you're lifting a dumbell). Keep contact in both reins. You want a decent bend, so the right side of the next is stretched. Make sure you dont hold him though apart from your normal contact or allow him to be heavy on your hands - allow him to carry himself and hold his own head there. If he goes to turn his head straight, gently correct him with the inside rein, making it shorter if you have to. If your horse wants to go down, let him - but KEEP THE BEND and only let him go as low as YOU decide. Stretching = good :)

Do it on both sides, then try it at a walk on a twenty metre circle. ****You need high hands for this exercise.*** (dont worry, i wont tell your coach hehe) You are teaching him to be soft in the contact and to listen to the reins and your direction. So if he goes to tip his head and poke his nose out, do a counter bend, but keep going straight (you're not turning him, you're bending) allow him to stretch and go down if he wants to - away from the door he's so intent on.

You can also do this at a trot on a twenty metre circle, but remember to keep your weight in your outside stirrup when you are bending to the inside to ensure he doesnt fall in on the inside shoulder. Also, make sure you allow your outside rein to be a bit more open (away from his neck) to allow him to move "open the gate", if you will, then close it if he is working nicely on a circle with his head and neck bent to the inside. He will struggle with this initially, so bend for 3 strides and then go straight on the circle, then bend again. If he is more stiff on one rein, work more on this one, less on the good rein. He will find this exercise easier if he is more forward and extending his stride.

You can do this at a canter when they are more advanced and balanced but i would suggest getting the Philippe Karl DVD set before attempting this.

Aaagh, I've probably completely confused you, but look up Philippe Karl - he's just great! A true horseman who schools in the classical method.

And I completely agree with Barbara - never pull and hang on the reins!