Halter breaking older horses

Question
Hey there,
I'm really in need of some advice and I have no one to ask! I've started a few colts and trained horses from halter breaking through to the show ring or ranch. I have a friend who needed some horses broke. She said that two "just needed miles" and that the others were halter broke but needed to be started. I knew that there would be a learning curve because I normally work with horses under 4 and these horses are between 4 - 10. But I was no where ready for this! They've all been left in pasture for years with a large herd. They are all very herd bound. I have 5 of them and, well, the ones that just "need miles" will sometimes (not often) let me approach them. I have gotten a halter on one without much of an ordeal but he won;t let it happen again it seems. The three that were halter broke aren't. They are insane. They will not approach people except when grain is involved and even then they won;t let you touch them. I am at my wits end. I really want to help these horses. I offered to train them to save them from the slaughter plant and get an extra couple hundred out of them for my friend. I am getting nothing out of this, since I expected to have a pleasurable summer just working with them, which is my passion. But now I am so discouraged that I could cry. Is there any advice you could offer me in this situation?

Answer
You need to separate these horses, so that they are not dependent on each other for companionship or have someone to inspire them to be village idiots.

Much of this is going to depend on whether or not you have the time, and the temperament to deal with them.  

First after separating them, I would get some leather halters and get someone to help me get them haltered, and then leave them on them.  That will stop the daily battling of this, and also, each time you have attempted to halter them and haven't been able to, it has taught them to evade and disrespect you.

Too, if these horses are in paddocks, it is easier to me to work with them, instead of in stall setting.  Too easy to get penned up in stall with horses like these.

And honestly?  The things that could be done, I don't know if it is worth it for you to try, since you are not getting paid to do this, nor is it benefiting you. A lot depends on how gutsy you are too.

But, if you are wanting to try?

I really need to get a better idea of what type of setting you have.  Training barn setting or just a pasture/old barn.  Do you have pens/paddocks, or stalls.  Do you have anyone that can help you with them?  How much experience do you have with horses in general?  How old are you, and do you have health insurance?  What type of fences are available?

Are they at your place or hers?

Are these horses actively aggressive or are they just nutso more or less, in that they are not trying to kick your teeth out.  What do they do if you push them, by continuing to try and catch one.  Do they respect you as a leader, or are you just an annoyance or as a subordinate.  Is there one that you have signaled out as a ringleader?

I may have other questions, as this goes on, but if you could answer these, that will help me formulate a plan.

Also, what type of fencing, and do you have a solid round pen or not?  Have these horses ever even been led?  Vetted?  Tied up?  How big are they now, and what breeds?  Are they mares/geldings or god forbid, stallions?