I'm not a beginner rider by any means I've been barrel racing for a few years won my fair share of things and so on. 

I sent a 4 year old gelding to have 90 days put on him because I'll also admit I don't enjoy starting them. I usually go out weekly and receive lots of pictures from the trainer but I caught Covid that turned into pneumonia. I went 3 weeks without seeing him.  

I went out today and noticed right off the bat he had large bleeding bit sores on his mouth corners. 

He only has 45 days in training and she was using an extremely harsh twisted gag bit on him. 

I attempted a small walk ride on him but he was stuck with his head to the ground wouldn't quit mouthing the bit like a mad man, and would walk a couple feet without me even touching reins or giving body cues go into this harsh send you over his head sliding stop and back up a mile. 

She said he was like that naturally and that I couldn't move at all forward, back or shift my hips too much because he'll stop like that and back up.  

I've decided to pull him from training based on those bleeding bit sores I pointed out to her and she shrugged off and my belief is the bit is too hard on him and causing that overreaction.

Would yall make the same call? 

Yep. Go get your horse.

You are aboslutely making the right call, and you're not overreacting.  

Absolutely — pulling him from training sounds like the right call, and you’re trusting your instincts, which is important, especially when you know your horse and have solid experience.

Bleeding bit sores are a major red flag, especially on a young horse with only 45 days under saddle. A harsh twisted gag on a green 4-year-old is excessive, and the fact that the trainer dismissed your concern instead of addressing it thoughtfully only reinforces that this environment isn't right for him.

Also, the behavioral signs you mentioned — extreme mouthing, inconsistent stopping and backing, hypersensitivity — all suggest he's uncomfortable, confused, and possibly in pain. That’s not the foundation you want to lay for a barrel horse (or any horse, for that matter).

It’s good you’re stepping in early. There are plenty of trainers out there who prioritize soft hands, patience, and communication. Your gelding deserves that, and you clearly care enough to advocate for him.

You're doing right by your horse — trust that.

Bring him home. 

I had a bad experience with a trainer, I brought my horse home and turned him out for 6 months.  Restarted him and he worked out fine.  Good luck to you and your horse.

Many years ago I was riding with a great horseman and long time friend, Ray Hunt. There was a person in the colt starting clinic that Ray was conducting who was know as a local trainer. During the clinic she was ignoring him and getting in everyones way. Ray finally had enough and said " I am told that you take money to train horses in this area. You should rethink that. I watch you deal with the colt that you are riding and you scare me." After that she did start to listen and Ray spent extra time with her to help her through. I guess what I am saying is that not everyone should be a professional horse trainer just because they say that they are. I think that you found one of those people. Let your horse heal at home and find better help.