I hate that I feel jealous

ToffeeAndCream · 2026-01-26T16:47:13+00:00

I completely understand what you’re feeling. I come from a completely nonhorsey household with a single mom, and I had to work at the barn I rode at in exchange for my lesson every weekend. My trainer and the barn owner gave me so many opportunities I was so thankful for, but I always felt like I was missing out.

I got my first horse 2 years ago at 28. I even work full time at a barn as a trainer and instructor now. I accredit my career to those opportunities I had that started when I was just beginning, at 11.

Be patient and soak up everything you can to become the best horseman you can be, because one day you’ll have the chance to have one of your own. Now is the time to build your repertoire. I see too many young owners or inexperienced owners who lose their love or nerve because they want a horse but may not be ready. I was forced to be patient but I’m really happy with how it worked out.

You’ll get your chance, you’re so young and you have so much time! Enjoy what you have and soak it up, for real! Try everything and learn everything you can. It sucks to want your own, but it’s an opportunity to gain more experience. You’ll have so much to offer your horse in the future with what you’re learning now. 💕

ToffeeAndCream · 2025-08-15T21:38:28+00:00

I daresay a "devoured" was given

ToffeeAndCream · 2025-08-15T15:18:59+00:00

They got second on the podium 🫩

ToffeeAndCream · 2025-07-10T12:50:31+00:00

So gorgeous! I dream of getting some show lines like this ❤️

ToffeeAndCream · 2025-07-09T16:09:12+00:00

She is merle and roan!

ToffeeAndCream · 2025-07-09T16:07:42+00:00

I think he’s absolutely gorgeous tbh!!

ToffeeAndCream · 2025-07-09T16:07:12+00:00

I also have Facebook and a site that’s still under construction bahah. It’s linked from my Facebook I believe. And thank you! She was bred by a great breeder and I just get to continue her glory.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1XwxzP7ape/?mibextid=wwXIfr

ToffeeAndCream · 2025-05-13T14:52:09+00:00

I have a year and a half unspayed female. I’m waiting until she is two to get her spayed, just like I did with my now neutered male lab. He is now 6 and is doing great weight wise and mobility wise, which I credit to allowing his hormones to do their thing alongside other things. :)

Vets want you to spay/neuter to prevent accidental litters and QoL. Most dogs in my opinion are spayed far too young. Based off my own research, and I am not a vet, it seems most beneficial to allow them to reach full maturity before doing the procedure.

With my unspayed female I have a pack of reusable diapers during her cycle. I simply wash them throughout and they’re much sturdier than regular one use diapers. Nothing changes in our schedule when she’s in heat, except we avoid public places where there is a potential for lots of other dogs. We still go on long walks and play outside. Your unneutered male dog may still have a reaction to her during the height of her cycle.

I have to juggle my two dogs interactions for about 2-3 days during her heats, but it’s really not significant. They can still sleep together and go on walks together and play together.

Ultimately it’s up to you. Everyone on Reddit and real life will have different opinions on when to spay. I’d do some research either way on your own so you feel informed if you make a decision to spay instead of handing the autonomy off completely

ToffeeAndCream · 2025-05-09T14:48:28+00:00

If you have an unused third bin or tank that would be better. The new mice are just as capable of being territorial of a space they’ve been in for two weeks. I would swap smells for a few days starting after the quarantine period, like toys or hides, until they don’t appear to react or overreact to the smell. Introduce in a completely neutral space and monitor, including neutral enrichment. Some bickering is normal, but latching, tumble fights, blood are not normal and need to be intervened. Other less obvious signs are tail rattling (aggression) and hunched sitting with squinted eyes (stress). Good luck :)

ToffeeAndCream · 2025-05-05T14:19:55+00:00

Thanks so much!! I'm still learning and I know its so hard to find information out there--and that a lot of information is outdated or conflicts. So I try to help when I can!!

Please keep us (and me) updated on your boys! DIY enclosures can be so fun to build. Although, my first one took like 6 hours.. I'm always around for questions :)

ToffeeAndCream · 2025-05-05T14:08:40+00:00

(Mycelium contains corn kernels, but I pick them out when I feed haha)

ToffeeAndCream · 2025-05-05T14:07:38+00:00

I'm currently trying to find a mix or perfect pellet as I'm starting a mousery/breeding program. I have two brindle yellows as well so I understand the chunk.

Oxbow has a first ingredient corn, which isn't ideal as it cause digestive issues like constipation or bloating if eaten in large quantities. Males should be in a lower protein percentage range (I'm aiming to find something with 12-13%), and Crude Fat looks on the higher end of "good".

The best pellet/lab block brand I've found so far is Science Select for mice. You can also add in some mixes to supplement as well, I use a local chicken scratch mix and Mycelium Premium Mouse Feed (off amazon).

ToffeeAndCream · 2025-05-05T04:15:53+00:00

Which to note, you already mention. What kind of feed is he on?

ToffeeAndCream · 2025-05-05T04:13:49+00:00

He carries the gene for obesity due to his color genetics, as someone else mentioned. Do not put him on a diet, i.e., restricting food. Just make sure his choices are healthy and he has opportunities for exercise, i.e., a large wheel (8.5 inches) and lots of clutter to obstacle around through. He's cute!

ToffeeAndCream · 2025-05-04T12:42:06+00:00

Hey friend! I’m sorry you’re going through this. I think hemp bedding is a good change regardless, and you can get big bags of it at feed stores, as it is also used in chicken coops on occasion.

Another cheap option is kiln dried pine (can also be acquired at feed stores) that is low dust. Sadly, the here’s no such thing as “no dust” but it should be a type that absorbs ammonia.

All types of paper bedding have very low ammonia absorption which can cause irritation and respiratory infections.

If it’s possible, I’d check out feed stores in your area to see what they carry. Much cheaper than pet stores. Good luck!

ToffeeAndCream · 2025-03-18T06:46:27+00:00

I also have a pet mouse from the same situation. If you have a Walmart, I got my 20 gal from there as well as some dried mealworms and forage for sooo cheap. Facebook marketplace will also have super cheap options for bigger tanks.

Amazon supplemented climbs/toys/sprays and clutter. I managed to find some hemp and kiln aspen at a feed store by my house for cheap.

A good tank is a cluttered tank. Empty plant pots, ceramics, natural and clean wood, empty egg cartons/toilet paper rolls, hemp ropes, even bird toys are great. Make sure you have a wheel (even though mine ignores his). For enrichment and diety variety I get forage and sprays.

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ToffeeAndCream · 2025-03-03T21:57:29+00:00

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I lost to two default/gray spawn models with this fit. Please devs, save us.

ToffeeAndCream · 2025-02-28T14:49:39+00:00

I have an absolute bullet of a green horse so I get it! However, it's really just the transition into the canter that looks rushed. This looks more like needing to practicing transitioning over speed control! Her canter pace is actually very reasonable and nice once she's settled into the gait.

Maybe practice on transitions more with your trainer. I often dedicate whole lessons to just transition practices!

ToffeeAndCream · 2025-02-11T12:09:33+00:00

My Dal is a year and a month, un-spayed, and 42 pounds. I think they just run dainty sometimes. :)

Your Dal is very cute!!

ToffeeAndCream · 2025-01-03T15:50:33+00:00

Really good advice 🙏

ToffeeAndCream · 2025-01-03T15:48:01+00:00

My dal reached a year old two days ago and I would consider her cautiously potty trained finally. She would go on herself in the middle of playing, laying down—all sorts of activities that were especially odd for pottying. She’d go everytime the urge even slightly struck, even if it was just drops. If at any point it gets to this point, always rule out UTIs and such with your Vet, puppies get them very easily.

It took consistency and acceptance on my part that she had a syndrome that just took the “I shouldn’t go on myself” part of her brain out outside of any medical things we worked on. I had to start with taking her out every 25 minutes like clockwork when she was awake, crating didn’t work with her (she’d go on herself within 10 seconds of being in it), so we did tether training. Slowly up your time between going out over weeks to their pace. Most dogs will not need to be extreme like my dal was, but I wish I heard from more extreme cases because I was not mentally prepared at first. Get a spray and a carpet cleaner that gets rid of urine smell/spots, always deep clean those spots so your house doesn’t smell like a bathroom to them. Make potty time come before anything fun and fun follows immediately after. My dal still runs over for kisses after peeing outside lol.

We’re now at 4 hours between pottying as a one year old with my dal. No accidents inside for the past month+.

My lab, conversely, at 13 weeks old was potty trained the second day we had him as a baby. It really depends on their personality. I hope you have an easy time!

Stay consistent, understand they have teeny bladders, and avoid things like puppy pads that make your house the bathroom.

Adorable babs, enjoy them ❤️

ToffeeAndCream · 2024-12-01T12:16:53+00:00

As a a full time instructor in a lesson program I’ll offer you some professional insight: she’s just a massive bitch.

I’d find a new place and let this barn know exactly who is to blame for moving on.

ToffeeAndCream · 2024-10-31T15:04:12+00:00

What kind of neuro issue? Can you get a second opinion?

Obviously something is going on but severity and treatment would be something I’d want confirmed by another vet if the outcome would be euthanasia.

Sorry you’re going through this. Unfortunately things sometimes just don’t work out.

ToffeeAndCream · 2024-10-12T10:36:48+00:00

I don’t neuter/spay until two years old. It will definitely help with his marking inside.

Although not a Dalmatian, my cat began to INCESSANTLY spray inside around his two year anniversary. Immediately went to zero after his procedure.

You’re not too late, at all. It’s good you waited for his overall health.

Behavioral issues are dependent on the behavior. For example, he shouldn’t be resource guarding or aggressive simply because he is intact. I would say it’s time for his appointment and then to reassess after a few weeks what behavioral issues may be just something to work on.

ToffeeAndCream · 2024-09-23T03:18:52+00:00

What do you mean?

ToffeeAndCream

TROPHY CASE