How did you decide if your pattern issues were pain or mental?

We have fixed physical issues on this horse - in the roping pen he has made a complete 180.  

In the barrel pen he works great at home, great when I just haul him some where to work like a friends place, not a jackpot.

At a jackpot we run sideways off the left barrel - doesn’t matter if it’s our first or our second barrel.  Doesn’t really matter if it’s in an expo or a run.  Our final expo today was ok, but he still really thought about it.  Once we reset we smoke 2nd and 3rd.

he’s got all the talent in the world.  I’m torn between sticking with him or camping on our colt who is also talented - but much farther behind.  

When we fixed the first round of issues it was literally because I insisted on an X-ray of a sore spot, the vet was finding nothing else wrong on this horse.  I’m worried a trip to the vet will turn into an expensive rabbit hole.

You’re describing a horse in pain. They’re very smart and know they have to work at home or even in an exhibition.

He’s getting doing better in the roping pen because he’s not doing any right turns.

It's tricky.  Pain can make them create habits that are hard to break, even after the pain is gone.  Maybe get a second opinion and rule out any pain issues. If no one can find anything wrong, and i mean like an educated lameness person not just a vet, then I would think ok this may be a training/mental deal.