first time horse owner

Question
Help!!! I recently bought a horse that I knew for about 9 years at at farm that I use to work for, because he injured his shoulder and he can't ride in the programs anymore. I moved him to a new farm where I board him about a week ago, and he fell in love with a mare that's his buddy, but the problem is I noticed if he has to go into his stall, he is rearing, kicking,pushing and trying to jump his stall door just to get out to his buddy,so the farm owner, started to bring his friend in just to make him happy and he is fine, but when I come up to turn them out to the pasture, he can't wait for a minute if he is not with this mare and his behavior in the stall goes back to this crazy horse, when I try to take him out alone of the field his head is high and always looking for this buddy, and calling for her he is really tense. I have been walking him around trying to stay in control but deep down I feel like I am losing this horse because I am unsure what the problem is, I know he was so perfect at the farm that I had bought him from nothing like this has happened their except kicking on the door for food.   Questions: What am I doing wrong? Is it because he is at this new place and needs time? Or is he insecure? What should I do begin with ground matters training? Please give me some ideas and suggestions. Thanks

Answer
Several questions first.

Is his being in the stall new to him, in that he was pastured before?

Is his feed or hay different?

Did he do anything like this at the other place?

If the feed is different, or hay has more protein, he could be getting too "hot" and excitable, and this is fairly easy to check.  If he is on sweet feed, cut it with oats, or a lesser protein pelleted feed, and see if there is a change.  If on oats try going to pellet?

Could be the hay has alfalfa?  And I have seen horses act like fruitcakes on peanut hay too.

Also, contact a vet and see about a CBC, or complete blood count, to see if for some reason he is producing testosterone to the point that he is going bonkers.  If he is, an implant can be used, that will secrete hormones to overcome that, and make him more manageable.

And he has to be at least 10ish?  If you knew him for 9 years, at least that.  How long ago was the injury?  What is the prognosis on that?  Will you be able to ride him ever?

My take on this, he is buddy sour, and spoiled too.  There is no excuse for the way he is behaving, even with feed/hormone issues.  He is being a brat, and giving in to him by moving the mare next door is not helping anything.  It just makes it worse.

Hopefully the feed and CBC will help, but the main thing is you have to put yourself back in leadership role.  I don't know how old you are, teen, or older?  But this horse is running the show and needs to be brought back to earth.  You bought him, not the other way around.

Does he act this way with the farm owner?  And is that person a real horse person, in that they know what they are doing?  Or just someone who has horses, because there is a big difference, so not trying to be rude, but trying to figure out if someone is near who can get handle on this and help you.

First thing I would do, after feed/hay/CBC, is to move mare out, and separate them.  Also I would get a chain shank and use it to handle him.  And needs to be taught to stand still, and to pay attention to you.  A chain shank will do it, but you will still have to toughen up your attitude with him.

Also, and I do not say this lightly, I think you need to start carrying a crop or whip too, as the trying to jump door, and pushing needs to be firmly dealt with.  Even a whack against the stall door will hopefully get his attention.  He needs to be more worried about what you are up to, than where the mare has gone.

When you lead him around, use the shank, and run the clip end through the near halter ring, loop around noseband and then clip on to offside halter ring.  Do not loop leather around your hand, but have it held so that once you have it attached, you can pop down sharp, and tell him to be still.  Do not overuse, but whenever he starts to acting up, give him a reminder that you have control over him.

You are going to have to be tougher with him, and get his respect.  If there is someone near you, that can help you in person, and show you how to handle him, and observe him with this mare fixation, that would be good.

A horse like this is very aggravating, and can make being around them miserable too.

And unless you saw this horse everyday at the other farm, and am not sure if you did or not in recent times?  I would bet he was doing the same type of thing there in some form or fashion.
Maybe not, it may be this mare is the love of his life, but she didn't buy him, you did.

And anytime you deal with him, give him a shake of halter, or a fingertap on cheek or forehead when you see he is not focusing on you.  I will not even unhalter one if they are focusing on the horse in the next stall, or on their food.  I tell them "focus on me" or "pay attention to me" and wait until they do.