Separation anxiety?!

[TB135]

Just wondering if anyone could possibly give me some advice.
About a month ago I got a new horse, he spent 4 weeks settling in at home while I was away finishing uni. I went to the yard once or twice a week to bring him in to ride/groom etc. He's fantastic to ride when he manages to focus, but he seems to be suffering from extreme separation anxiety when I bring him in from the field and he has to leave his friends. He is turned out full time in a big field with a herd of 10. The situation took a turn for the worse today when I was riding him and he saw a couple of horses being led from the yard, past the school and up the track to the field and he started rearing very badly. Could anyone give me any advice on how to help him cope with being worked on his own? Not only do I feel very sorry for him being so stressed but it isn't exactly safe for me either and I can't always have a friend available to bring their horse in and ride with me!
I have now finished uni so have all the time in the world to work with him, I just really need to overcome this barrier before we can start working seriously!

 

[be positive]

Now you have time you need to get him into a routine that helps him to relax, bringing in for a small feed may help the initial separation, maybe spending a short while in the stable after work, gradually extending this as he learns that he will go back afterwards.
Work much the same, do not expect too much at first gradually build up and ask for more work from him until he is really listening to you from the start. Go out hacking with another horse, this will allow you to get him out with as little stress as possible before taking him out alone, if your yard allows for a short stroll down the drive or round a field after schooling this can be a useful stepping stone just relaxing and cooling off while they are tired.

He is probably rather overwhelmed, new home, new owner, new rules and 10 in the field there is a lot to take on board for any horse, you do not say how old he is but even an older experienced horse that has lived in a quiet yard may find this too much to cope with for a while, he should get better but not every horse copes with big herds with lots of activity.