Retired gelding and mare

Question
I moved my retired horse last week. He had been in the prior facility for 7 yrs. He was placed in a stall next to a pregnant mare, and is also in a pasture next to her during the day. He has been stalled next to mares before and seems to prefer them. But this time he seems to be attached to this mare at the hip and does not want to be away from her any length  of time. She on the other hand, pins her ears and wants no part of him. It is becoming diffecult for me to handle my horse because of his aggitation in her absence. I resort to having the mare brought in to be near him so I can groom him safely. The moment she is there he is his old well behaved self. I attempted to move him to another stall today and he became dangerously aggitated even with another gelding next to him.My question, should I move him away and place him with only other geldings? If so should I do this "COLD  TURKEY" or gradually?  

Answer
Hi Charlotte,
              Your horse is "buddy sour". You need to gradually move your gelding away from the mare. At first do it for 5 minute intervals so that he can see that he is able to return to his friend and that she has not disappeared. Once he is ok with this then keep him away from her for a longer period of time. Keep this up so that he will no longer become agitated when he is away from her. Of you can move the other gelding so that he is on the other side of him then that will help them form a relationship. Make sure that you alternate switching horses so that he does not become "Buddy Sour" with the gelding.

Lisa