New horse and anxiety

[Omni2]

I have just rehomed an older horse for light hacking and to keep my daughter s young cob company. Until
Now he has had Shetlands over the fence and lived with a goat and alpaca. It’s only been a week but when I take the older horse out for a walk ( hopefully a ride soon) the younger one is cantering around the paddock. When the young one goes out the older one stands and neighs. Will it settled down in time do you think?

 

[spotty_pony]

It would always be preferable to have three horses for these reasons. Can they see any horses at all when the are on their own? Is there a shelter or anything you can put the other one on whilst it’s alone? I had a year with just the two horses but managed very well as I have stables so they learnt it was fine to be alone and not get stressed.

 

[Winters100]

I would carry on and hope that it settles down, I don't know what your set up is, but maybe some hay when you take one out if they do not have a constant supply? I would also separate them at various times during the day, even if it just means tying one on the yard while you do jobs. Good luck!

 

[Dontforgetaboutme]

I have 2 in a paddock with horses in neighbouring fields. The older had been previously out in a herd & would canter round & buck if turned out on her own. It took a few months but I can now take one out to ride without the other shouting. I found popping a bucket feed in for the one left out helped with positive association.

 

[fidleyspromise]

I used to scatter pony nuts on the floor for my youngster. There was cantering to the corner closest to where I left and neighing but ahe didn't wind herself up. At one point she could see horses in the distance but didn't have any near her.
She's now 15, sometimes follows us to the gate, sometimes doesn't bother. She neighs when she sees us coming back but she stopped cantering around early on.

As long as its nor a mad canter around, sweating etc I'd continue and see if it improved over time.
Id vary what i was doing such as Take one out of field away from other and do some grooming, in hand work etc so they can see each other and realise that one isn't going out of sight but they're still apart.
Start as you mean to go on.