Richard I don't know what made the sores, a fever of some kind? A CSU vet thought it was some kind of virus, but none of the other horses got it. 

I think the sores must have been really painful even before they manifested and she put a toe in there and it sent him through the roof 3 or 4 times that day and now he just remembers that. The sores became visible a few days after that bad ride.

I have him home now and am working through the problem. This is still the first horse over to you in the dry lot and follows you around.

It is definitely only putting your foot in the stirrup. I can climb on from a mounting block without so much as a flinch and ride like he was never off. But kick a foot up toward his side and he is gone. It's like someone kicked him in the belly a bunch and scared the life out of him, but I know that is not the case. I'm doing his regular ground work and slowly moving up to put my toe to his side and rub him with my foot. This is also improving my flexibility and looks hilarious, ha ha! I'm getting off and on from the block and riding some easy exercises and leaving it at that for a few days to see how he comes along.  

Thank you, Richard! 

This is super helpful. Thank you.

"not very punchy". 😂! Looking punchy is not really the goal. 

Why no leg when turning at this point?

Natchez is better anyway!

I appreciate this well-communicated and illustrated approach! I've been starting horses since I was a kid (I'm what they call middle aged now) and I learn new things with every horse and every program, although most are not spelled out so succinctly. Thank you!