13 year old gelding

Question
QUESTION: Hi, my name is Megan and I have a 13 year old thoroughbred gelding. Recently I brought him to our new house instead of where he was boarding alone. Now, there are 2 new horses at the pasture next door and they can touch over the fence. My horse loves other horses but ever since we brought him there, if those horses leave the fence to graze he flips out. The entire day yesterday he just ran the fenceline and paced all around the fenceline.. he was soaking wet and dripping sweat and still wouldnt stop. I know horses are herd animals and im looking for a mare for mine but until i can find one... how could i fix this problem? i just got to where i knew exactly how to handle him when he rides and ive actually been riding him but now i dont know how to make him stop pacing and calm down and i dont want him to continue doing this next time i get on to ride.. please help


also, he has recently begun almost like burping and his stomach sometimes makes weird noses when he runs... do you think he might be sick?

ANSWER: Hi Megan,
You are right to think this is happening because your horse is a herd animal and when he see's his "herd" leave in his horse instincts it becomes a matter of life and death that he not be left behind. I think it is an excellent idea for you to put him with another horse, but then if you take the other horse out for some reason you may run into the same problem. I would start doing some ground work with your guy, get so you can send him left in to a circle and send him right into one with ease without moving your feet. Have you ever done any ground work before? The idea is that you need to work with him and show him you are his herd leader, then he wont be so likely to look for a partner in your neighbors horses. Tell me what kind of things you have been doing with him with ground work and riding and we will try to come up with a game plan for you guys while you look to find your mare.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best Wishes,
Caitlin Day Huntress

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: So I ended up getting a 17 year old Appendix mare and her and my gelding are inseperable! You said before that I need to make him realize I'm his herd leader or else I won't be able to separate these 2 if I only need to ride one... So that's where I need help.. If it's only me riding I can only bring one and I don't want the other one freaking out and pacing the fenceline until we get back... What do you suggest would be the best way to make them okay with being separated for a little while?

Answer
Hi Megan,
I would do the same ground work with both of your horses, another fun thing to do is to ride one and work the other horse on the ground. You could ride your guy and walk up with a stick and bag tied on the end ( make sure your guy is okay with the bag first! ) and shake it to send the other horse away- let the horse get away and then repeat. This will help your relationship with both horses, just think of every situation you may be in with your horse and prepare him for it ahead of time. You could teach the mare to pony so you could go on a trail ride on pony her along.
Let me know how it works out for you,
Caitlin Day Huntress