Newly purchased difficult horse

Question
Hi,I recently purchased two horses for pleasure riding, for myself and my two children. Dakota,one of our new equine friends, is a ten yr old quarter/clydes gelding. He has only been ridden once this year by the lady I've purchased from, and seems rather difficult. He takes to my three year old son quite well following him around and what not, but has issues with my myself even just leadig him around on halter.
My understanding is that he was abused in the past and malnutrishioned at points, before this woman aquired him, and he apparently rides well, although there was some shadyness about his personality when I purchased such as withholding the fact that he bullied her other horses for a time. He was segragated and allowed back in the penn three weeks later with no more issue. So there is potential there.
Dakota, apparently becomes "wiggly" while getting saddled, and seems to have a control issue.They won't allow me to tack him while on their farm ???. It seems to me these are typically learned bad behavior issues which can be curbed and or broken. I have some experience with horses although it has been quite some time since I have had regular contact and lessons.
Our family is picking up Dakota on the first of July and I would like to be as prepared as possible to work with him and obviously make all of our experiences comfortable. I cannot use a whip or crop as that is much of the abuse that he had previously suffered. I would like to give him trust, care, and show him that his pressance in our family is appreciated, as we have waited quite some time and have always wanted horses. I think it is a sin that someone has done these things, but do not wish a problem animal for the childrens safety first off, or that will end up ruined by lack of somewhat formal training. I need to begin with trust and tacking, then work from there. any advice, would be greatly appreciated, and it might help to say that Dakota ultimately picked us when we purchased, but I cannot just shove a three year old on his back, even though it seems that possibly he will be the only one able to ride him.
I'm sorry to sound sentimentally silly, but rigid is not my forte and we really do love this animal's personality, no matter difficult when speaking toward riding.

Answer
Dear Kristy,
I wish I could ofer you some more positive advice, but as a parent of two young children myself- I can- with NO RESERVATIONS tell you that this is NOT the horse for your family.
The behaviours that you describe are NOT easily "unlearned" in fact, I had a student ( a single experienced adult) who once purchased a cinchy/girthy horse and despite 15 years of patience- schooling- you name it- he was always dangerous to tack. He started being "wiggily" (we later found out he had been tranqu'd when she went to see him) but she later discovered that he would sit like a dog and sometimes flip over.
There are literally HUNDREDS of sound- CHILD SAFE horses being sold or even given away in today's tough economic times- there is really no reason to purchase a known problem.
If you were buying this horse as an adult without children in the picture and you were VERY expeienced yourself- wanting a re-school project- I'd say "go ahead- but be careful."
It also doesn't sound like the people who currently own him are being honest- they are clearly only telling you parts of the story. This animal is anti-social both with equines and with people. The fact that
they won't let you" tack the horse" is ridiculous and highly suspect! Would you buy a car without being allowed to start the engine? There are many people out there who have badly behaved horses which they can't handle who play upon people's sympathy by playing the abuse/resuce horse card. This may or may not be the situation here. Regardless- I doubt this is a safe horse for a professional let alone a relatively inexperienced family with youngsters. I am sure your children are the most precious things in your world- this animal sounds like an tragedy waiting to happen. I would reconsider this purchase and walk away- even if you lose some money on the deal.I believe he poses a significant risk to the safety of your children.
S. Evans