My horse is buddy sour

Question
Hi, I own a 6 year old quarter horse that is extremely buddy sour. Last year we sold all of our horses except her and ever since she has acted a lot more spooky. Six months ago we bought a sheep from a friend and decided to let him in the same pasture as my horse, now I can't take her anywhere unless he is right by her side! Even then she's worked up making sure he's right there following her. I'm no longer able to take her on rides let alone to the barn! How can I fix this? I really want to help her get over her separation anxiety and do you have any tips on improving my relationship with my horse?

Thanks so much,
Madison

Answer
Every horse innately knows that an individual horse is at risk of dying and that it needs herd mates for safety and security.  In the absence of another horse, another prey type herd animal will provide some sense of safety.  It is this innate psychology that is causing your horse to feel so insecure without her pasture buddy.  There is also the herd hierarchy that determines each members place in the herd.  If your mare has taken the alpha role, then she needs to know where her "herd" is at all times.

You can help build her trust and confidence in you so that she feels as secure with you as she does with her pasture mate. Focus on bonding with this mare through ground work - grooming, hand walking, lunging, long lining etc.

Initally, work with her where she is still close to her buddy.  This could be in the pasture at first and then, as she is showing less stress and responding to you more positively, just on the other side of the pasture fence.  Focus on encouraging (but not forcing) her to come into a calm shape - poll level with or below her withers, bending around you and no pushing into your space with any part of her body.  Respect her need to move when she is stressed, but control where and how she goes.  Just move her around you in a small circle (you remain at her shoulder & push her around you as you pivot on the spot).  Keep contact on the lead rope so that you can gently rock her head downwards (don't pull on the rope but think of creating a massaging action).  Gradually expand the distance between your mare & her buddy.  This might take several sessions, but is well worth the time and effort in the long run.  Visit my YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/AnneGage96?feature=mhsn#p/u/3/N4fY9OA6a2A to see a video that shows this technique.