Herd-bound horse solutions?

I would start him off in a separate paddock as far away from the mare as possible, hopefully out of ear shot and site, with one other horse that he isn't attached to. Preferably not a social horse and one that likes to be on its own more than with the herd.

Do this for a few days and then slowly start taking the other horse out the paddock for an hour or so a day. Increasing as you go along until your gelding can be left on his own. Leave him on his own in the paddock and start to assert yourself as the herd leader. Try work with him a few times a day for fairly short periods (15 mins), work with him both in the pasture and out of it.

It will take time and don't be shocked by some blood (yours), sweat (his) and tears (both of you) in the process.

severe separation anxiety! That cracks me up, come on LADY!

There no such thing! There is no such thing as barn sour or herd sour or buddy sour. They are just EXCUSES! Because it's obviously not you who has the problem but your horse. It's the horses fault.

He doesn't rear or kick anymore! really? well done.

Look he is no being bad, he's not got "behavioral problems" he doesn't need to be separated he IS A HORSE! It's in their wiring to be in a herd. The more horses they are with the better their chances of survival.

Okay, so if you put him alone with a higher horse do you think he'd have started rearing and bucking to get back with the herd? Hell no! The problem is YOU.

He wont go anywhere with you because he doesn't feel safe with you, he feels your not able to look after him, your not a good leader, he bosses you. You may think you've made progress but your still writing on here for help.

You need to establish yourself as the leader and this problem with be solved. Because you are the problem, it's your fault, not his. It's you that needs to change not him. Why do people always blame the horse? Your wrong, you don't know what your doing, your being unclear with your communication and he's letting you know it in the only way he possibly can. You need to be more dominant, now work it out for yourself.

I've found the best way to get a horse not to be herd bound or buddy sour and it works very well. work him a lot in the pasture or near the pasture make him really work and get them feet moving then try riding him off if he turns back around to come back to the others let him and work him even harder he will figure out if he doesn't wanna have the crap worked out of him he will ride out away from the others. I've done this with my mare who was herd bound with her colt she now rides out by herself .. hope this helps good luck!

I'll get lots of thumbs down from novice riders for this but here goes:

This has worked best for me when I have had those horses that would just take fits when they are separated form a pal. I would rather let them wear themselves out then me fight with that stupid energy. I have two about two inch rings that I use and tie tightly in each of their tails.

I will saddle up the most manageable horse, take the other to an arena or safe place, tie a rope around the girth and one tied from the girth around the chest so girth one will not slip back( this is to run the reins or halter rope through so the horse will not put its head down and step through the rope" put a low noseband halter on the horse, or if using a snafle bit take both reins or lead rope through the girth rope to the ring on the tail, bend the head around so the horse will have to circle when it takes a fit, tie it to the ring on the tail. Ride circles around the other horse, let him spin and fight, then ride off, preferably where it can be seen by the other horse. Ride back in a while, bend the horse you left to the other side and ride away again..

When you get back tie the head around of the horse that you were riding and let him take his fit and tantrum while you ride the other one. A few lessons like this and they would rather be ridden off then left to circle and spin. If you let them wear themselves out they are much easier to get them to understand that they have to leave.

Also If you can seperate a horse let is miss an evening meal and have hay, grain or really good feed at a place that you can ride to ( a nice long ride not just a block) Line out and ride there and let the horse eat and relax. Doing this several times makes them want to go.

Put him in a paddock alone with you or another horse he isn't at all attached to. This paddock should be the one furthest away from the mare. He needs to learn to do his job and get on with life without her.

Keep him separate from other horses then Work his butt off by the other horses then go some where else to relax,then he will associate being with other horses with work.

Don't put him in a paddock alone, he'll only become more distressed. Move the mare out of sight and out of ear shot. Put him in a paddock with another gelding around the same age as him that's likely to play with him and distract him, give him hay in the paddock and also you can give them salt licks or mineral licks to keep him occupied.

I would put him in a pasture by him self and that way you become his herd and he will become happier to see you and more drawn to you.