http://www.ttouch.com/whyTTEAM.shtml
This may be of interest.

If Flynn does not like jointed snaffle you can try a Kimberwick bit. I have successfully used the Kimberwick on horses trained to a curb and I have had no problems changing the horses to it, the horses feel the mouthpiece which is like the mouthpiece of the curb, and they feel the curb chain so it feels familiar to them, and yet it is a MUCH softer bit than either a grazing curb of a jointed snaffle. You can ride with it just like you have a snaffle in the mouth, direct reining and all.

An Uxeter is probably fine, I have not used one myself since I think the regular Kimberwick has a better release, but at the stage you and your guy are at I do not think that will matter at all. With the Uxeter you can experiment with two strengths of signal, the direct pull like a snaffle (top rein loop) and a very, very mild curb action using the bottom rein loop.

I have been using the Ttouch methods myself after coming to a loooong time of no progress. The method has ground work methods that may help you teach him, and the Ttouch circles have given me amazing results with attitude and relieving pains that the horse may have. If he wants to "play" the groundwork will probably help (I'm too weak to move poles so I've never done it).

I have gotten to the point that now I consider kicking high while lunging as an attempt by the horse to give himself a chiropractic adjustment to his back, probably mostly to the sacro-iliac joint. You might want to ask around to see if there is an equine chiropractor around you. In the meanwhile doing the Ttouch circles and ground work methods you will end up with a MUCH better handle with your horse, your personal relationship with your horse may also improve A LOT, and they may help the horse's physical pain. These methods seem to help form the correct neuronal connections in the horse's brain for doing what we humans want them to do and to get them to use the more reasoning part of their brains.

I got my first horse (green-broke Anglo-Arab, me an elementary level rider) and managed to improve him while riding only on the weekends. Since he was turned out in the pasture 24/7 I did not have to deal with explosiveness. Of course he was an angel from heaven, but even so I learned that so long you are training correctly doing it just on the weekends does not slow you down that much. Right now I ride some horses just 30 minutes a week and they still show progress. Since I did not show I don't have to deal with any deadlines. Having a deadline can be the quickest way to end all progress in training if you don't have lots of experience. People can get too rushed, confuse the horse, and both end up unhappy. The quickest way to teach a horse something is to start out with the attitude that you have all the time in the world, even to the end of the universe.

Hi Starbuxchic!

There seems to be an issue with your videos - they are set to private (and they are mobile links, which from a desktop I can't seem to view). Try posting the links from a desktop if you have a chance; I would love to see your videos!

A bit of general advice I'd like to give if you'd like to read it :)

I agree with Nikki about Flynn's teeth being more of a cause of potential issues than the bit itself. I am guessing by now he has had his teeth done - if not, we will see what happens once they are done! My advice for bitting a horse is this: I also prefer a plain snaffle with D-rings, or O-rings with bit guards. For a headstall I really prefer to use something with a throatlatch, as something with just a browband or ears can slide off and become a safety issue. With a throatlatch (even set loosely), the likelihood of your headstall coming off, the bit slipping through his mouth, and so on, becomes very slim! Something to consider. :)

For a horse that wants to be a lazy pasture ornament, my personal approach is to really get their energy up. You don't have to hit a horse for it to know you mean business, but for a lazy horse, you have to be stern and know exactly what you want, as well as being two steps ahead at all times, anticipating what he/she may do to try to get out of something. For example, a horse that refuses to move for me on a lead line, I will take a rope or a lunge whip (even a dressage whip) and repeatedly swing it at their front feet, their hip, their shoulder, etc, until I get their feet moving in any direction. As soon as the horse's feet move at all, I stop and praise them. "Approach and retreat" some folks like to call it. Once you have the horse moving (it may be easier to try to move the hindquarter around while tipping the head in towards you, so the center of gravity is somewhat off, and they can't really "grow roots"), focus on really keeping their feet moving, especially when you ask for them to lead somewhere and they refuse. Heighten the energy level so they know you aren't dead in the water and that you really mean what you're asking. A lazy horse knows it can get away with being lazy, so if you take away the option of them not expending any energy during a training session, they only have the option to do what you ask. "Make the wrong thing hard and the right thing easy," so-to-speak.

What I'm getting at here is simple, and please forgive my rambling/thinking out-loud approach: If you ask him to move forward and he plants his feet, make him move somewhere.. anywhere, as long as his feet get moving. Ask again - if he refuses, make him work again. He will quickly decided that just moving forward is a lot easier than spinning in circles over and over, or backing up for 10-20ft at a time. Be stern, even "aggressive" in your approach, but always be kind, and remember that no one benefits from anger. Always remain calm, even if you may become frustrated. Horses sense when a person is frustrated and will often times match that energy. Remain calm and sure of yourself and what you are asking.

Please forgive my rambling.. I hope somewhere in there, something was of use. :) I look forward to seeing what you two are up to in the near future!

Starbuxchic -- Glad to hear that I may have been of some help! I look forward to your progress!