I bought a project mare almost 3 weeks ago. Before I picked her up, the seller reiterated multiple times that she was "only halter broke". When I went to purchase her, she was wearing a halter with a lead rope attached, but she wouldn't lead and when I brought her home I couldn't even get close enough to her to take it off (not that it matters now, because I have her pretty desensitized and leading). Now I'm curious if people consider a horse, who will literally only wear a halter, halter broke?? I would expect one to be able to lead and allow you to remove and put the halter back on. 

I agree, Halter broke is leads, halter can be taken off and put back on, horse can stand tied up. The horse you describe to me would be " Barely handled"

I consider halter broke being one that will stand tied and that you can lead easily.

I would consider one halter broke that will lead from point A to point B and can stand tied for a reasonable amout of time.

Halter Broke to me is you can put it on and take it off, and you can lead the horse. Ideally they can tie too, but I know especially with babies I'm not a stickler for that. 

Well my definition is going to be a little extreme because all foals I grew up with were imprinted at birth and halter broke by 6 mo by repetition of bringing back and for from stall to pasture. Also picking up feet and basic manners. By 3 yrs old I would expect it to know how to lunge, tie, accept bathing etc. 

it sounds like you received a horse they got a halter on and haven't taken it off since??

Halter broke is one you can handle with ease, beable to put a halter on and off with ease, beable to lead them where ever you want them to go with ease.

I consider them "halter broke" if they can be lead (and back up) and be tied up long enough to have their hooves picked out and be brushed some.

I hope your project turns out amazing for you.

Yes, that is what I'm thinking. The man I bought her from only had her for three weeks, and said she was pretty much unhandled before he bought her. Although, I don't think he handled her much in the three weeks that he had her, aside from putting a halter on her (only to leave on and let her drag the leadrope around *insert eyeroll*).

Thank you! I'm really happy with her progress so far.

Even if I have to run something in a catch pen but at least I can halter and lead I'd consider it halter broke, just hard to catch.

What the OP bought I wouldn't consider halter broke. If I was selling the same horse I wouldn't have advertised as such. I'd explain the horse is haltered and dragging a long rope, in the process of halter breaking. 

I am going to show my old timer's traditionalist ways here.

A colt that has spent time on the end of a lead rope connected to a donkey (about a week minimal) is halter broke. Also, I have a tree of knowledge at my house that has an inner tube up high with a lead tied off to it. That too will create a halter broke colt.

Picture of said mare

You all have said what halter broke is as a buyer. 

The seller says she is halter broke when they finally got the halter on her 10 minutes before the buyer shows up. ??