What should I do?

I have a new TB gelding, && his past owners had no respect for his mouth, now he has a hard mouth and i'm going to find it hard to change, I would like to work on collection and his bending... I would just like a few different ideas on how i should do it in a way he would understand.. He is a quick learner and willing to have a go at anything, I would really like some help with what i should do to soften his mouth and teaching him to collect his head (:

learn to stear with your seat/ other aids besides hands.

Thats how i learnt to ride (with my seat)...

Are you saying that he braces against the bit? If you can get him properly bent or flexed around your leg, I would think over time he would find the contact up front more inviting and his hard mouth will eventually soften when you apply the necessary half halts to transfer his weight to his back end. I would try re-establishing correct contant. Soft inviting contact involving mostly your inside leg to outside rein. He needs to re-learn all of his cues from the outside rein instead of the heavy handed riding he was used to. To help him learn the outside rein, riding squares and serpentines work wonders. I'd do it at the walk until he gets it and then move on.

I will keep that in mind, Thank you for your help what you are saying seems logic and i would think he would understand the concept if i work with what you have giving me (:

My first thought would be to try him in a bitless bridle of some sort ...

Lots of lateral bending, along with what the others have suggested. Good luck with him