​For ground work/training, I use rope halters. I like a halter that has evenly placed, well tied knots. To tell if a halter is made well, look at it from the side; from the throat latch to the nose it should form a square. If you are going to use a rope training halter, learn how to tie it properly. Take the top piece (that comes over the poll) down through the loop and around the loop, not above the loop, with the loose end pointing to the back of the horse (see pictures).  

We tend to think of training a horse in terms of the physical goals; that slow lope, the sliding stop, the smooth as silk lead change. But the physical actions are the result of mental training. Horse training is more than getting a desired action. It is teaching a horse to accept learning. Sometimes I get horses in for training, say a 3 year old that has not had a lot done with them. They have to learn to accept training. What I mean by that is ... learning to figure out what I am asking of them instead of resenting the fact that I am asking them to do something that they don't understand. The have to learn about learning. Once you have that, you can teach them to do just about anything that is within the scope of their physical capabilities.