Joining the herd while under saddle and in hand

Question
QUESTION: Hi Rick - Thanks in advance for the assist. I have a dandy new horse and
don't want to take the wrong tact with him y mistake. He's a nine-year-old Ky
Mt Saddlehossie, dead broke, for the most part. He's been w/me bout six
weeks now, and I've been working with him pretty much every day. The main
problem is, he **wants to join the main herd** in a big bad way. He currently
lives in a pasture w/my 31-yr-old warmblood gelding, whom he bosses
mercilessly, and a 22-yr-old walking horse mare (ditto). Three times now
(once under saddle, once in hand, once in the ring) he's tried in the worst way
to break away to the other herd (whom he can see but not join. It consist of a
bunch of Belgian broodmare and five light saddle horses (three mares and a
boss gelding, shaped like a watermelon). My sense is, my sociable horse is
doing this cuz, you know, the herd is where he's supposed to be, and he gets
nervous when he's not in there with them. I could barely control him either
under saddle or on the ground. Usually he's most amiable! Any help huegly
appreciated - thank you, Barbara

ANSWER: Hello there,
All Experts sent me your question but it looks like you wanted the help of a man named Rick. If you would like to have me help you with your question I can, or e-mail Rick again- making sure it is his address.
Best Wishes,
Caitlin Day Huntress

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

QUESTION: Uh-oh. I'm afraid I botched the site again by responding to the email. Sorry. No,
I'm not particular about wgo it is that offers help. I just don'y want to expand my
botching horions to my most excellent horse! Thanks CDH (or whomever)!
Barbara

Answer
Hello,
If you still would like a suggestion for your guy, here is my suggestion. I would take his best friend and turn him out in the arena. If you have confidence in your riding ability you can do this under saddle if not you can try it with a long line. Every time your guy even looks at his friend and wants to go to him Agree with Him! Ask him to go faster and faster to his friend- as you arrive there keep him going and turn him to the other side of the arena. As soon as he is heading away from his friend become a very quiet rider. This is the part that takes patience and time- you have to let him make the choice to go back to his friend or not. If he goes back repeat the pressure, as he leaves repeat the lack of pressure. If you set yourself up on a day where you have plenty of time, and you take all the time it takes, soon your guy will think looking at his friend is a really bad idea because it makes him tired. If you are worried about how much energy your guy had you may work him ahead of time so you know he is already pretty tired. You want to get to a point where you do not have to touch the reins at all, start with bumping leg pressure and soon he will turn himself around.
Let me know if you try this and have any questions.
Best Wishes,
Caitlin Day Huntress