The Missing Piece

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Marshfield, MA
The Missing Piece

The Missing Piece provides in depth and overall equine fitness rehabilitation, as well as body work for performance enhancement.

07/22/2025

Ever wonder what a quick glimpse into one of my Saturday’s often looks like? We start early, around 6am 😴 and end the day back at home just in time for dinner with Nash!

Come along with me and see for yourself!

07/19/2025

In every group of photos I take of my pets (or my friend’s pets), I’m guaranteed at least 1 silly photo, just askTommy, Nash and Pixie🤪

Drop your best caption for each photo in the comments and the winner will receive a gift from me this weekend💗⬇️

07/18/2025

TGIF.. am I right? I feel like these weeks & days are just running on by me and at moments, I’m hardly above water. Anyone else?

What are you taking for yourself or your horse today? Let’s share in the comments and support each other this weekend!💗⬇️

07/16/2025

🚨Before and After Alert🚨

I have been seeing this gelding for a few months now. Though very sweet and very smart, he struggles with a huge lack of balance, confidence in use and just truly lack of education in using his own body. As a result, he gets sore, opinionated about working and had very tense muscling throughout.

It has taken a bit of time, change in routine, starting back at the very beginning, taking it one problem at a time and some patience, but we are starting to see some progress!

Here in these photos, it is quite evident how tight & tense his Trapezius, as well as back and shoulder area prior to massage (right) were/are, as well as the effect massage really has on releasing tension through his body (left). Also in the pictures, you can see our focus on hind end health as well because as we know, if the hind end isn’t healthy, neither the core or back will be!

Of course, this is a short term relief for him because he is learning to slowly move correctly and unravel those learned compensation patterns which lead to such visble tension, however, each time I see him, his muscles relax faster and faster into the session and maintain the massage benefits longer term. It goes without saying, taping, as well as stretching and following a proper conditioning routine has assisted in truly making such a difference for him!

If this is sounding like your horse, I promise we can make things more enjoyable for you and your horse when you are working together! Reach out, I’d love to chat!💗

07/14/2025

Saddle Fit: one of, if not the most important piece, to riding horses, yet for some reason also the most over looked.

Reminders:
❌Just because you really want xyz brand, doesn’t mean your horse will fit in that and it’s okay!
❌The saddle that fits your friend’s horse so well and she brags about might not fit your horse
❌Even though your saddle was once a perfect fit, it might not be now so it is important to always be doing check ins
❌Without a well fitting saddle you really won’t make it very far long term

When was the last time your saddle was checked? Let’s start a comment thread about how often you have your saddle checked and any positive notes you feel come from these checks!⬇️

07/11/2025

Spending that quality time in the saddle with your horse is irreplaceable no matter the place, but lets face each of us and our horses all have a preferred riding location!

Tommy’s & I’s both was the beach, no doubt! Every time his hooves touched the sand he would look out to the ocean, let out a huge breathe and happily snail pace forward, always fighting me as I tried to turn around to go back to the trailer😂🏝️

Tell me what you and your horse prefer!⬇️

07/07/2025

Let’s be honest, you’re horse has been showing signs of needing some form of help: medical help, bodywork, training, nutrition, etc

I know you have been brushing it up, trying anything you can to wipe it under the rug so you don’t have the extra cost, hassle or have to hear any bad news anyone might tell you.

Remember, though, the longer you push it off, the worse it is going to get. So stop brushing off what your horse is trying to tell you and just get them some support. I promise, your whole relationship dynamic is going to positively change💗

07/04/2025

Happy 4th of July from me to you and your ponies! I hope everyone enjoys their day, spends extra time with their ponies and takes a moment to remember the whole point of today! Stay cool out there!❤️🤍💙

07/02/2025

I cannot tell you the amount of times I go out, see a horse and the first thing out of an owner’s mouth after we finish up is “ugh I am so relieved I thought you were going to tell me xyz (all negative) things about my horse!”

Don’t worry, I am absolutely guilty of this as well, but we need to all have a little faith in ourselves and give ourselves some grace. We do the best we can with what we have when we have it.

I also think it’s important to remember myself, veterinarians and any other professional aren’t here to ruin days or make you feel bad about yourself. After all, we all got into this industry for the love of the horse, didn’t we?! We just want to help you and your horse be the best you can be. Sure, maybe we might mention things you don’t want to hear, but it isn’t because we think less of you as an owner, it’s because we want better for you and your horse.

So next time you are holding off scheduling an appointment for your horse, with any professional, instead of letting what we might say cloud your brain, fill your brain with all the thoughts of what could happen if you ignore your horse’s voice because you’re afraid of hearing your horse may need more support, opening the door for them to feel pain, discomfort or even stress!

06/30/2025

I was really excited to put this before and after together because this mare is so responsive to the tape, you can see the changes almost instantly!

A few things to note for this mini case study:
1️⃣She is 90% retired
2️⃣The day before she worked “hard”
3️⃣30 years young has never looked better, am I right?!
4️⃣Maintence is not her style and she requires/has never required any! Jealous, I know!

We took her out for a super short lunge (3-5 minutes max), walking and trotting. She looked a little stiff, was fairly grouchy and didn’t want to move forward. After, I did her stretches and she was TIGHT, but again, she is mostly retired and does not do stretching normally.

After we stretched and got tape on her arthritic hocks, as well as her super tight b***y, look at the change! Of course, she does still look a little stiff at times, but she is much more willing to move forward, her ears are up and she is actually moving pretty good!

Of course, the tape is not a cure nor a band aid, but if this doesn’t prove how much more comfortable it can make your horse in the meantime, I’m not sure what can!!

Have any questions about the tape or this mini case study? Drop them in the comments or dm them!⬇️

06/27/2025

This week gave us a real glimpse into Summer and if it continues this way it’s going to be HOT🥵

Helping your horse cool off can seem a little daunting, but sometimes all it takes is that extra, cool treat to get them through the day!

What is your horse’s favorite refreshing treat? Drop it in the comments and I will try to bring it next visit😉⬇️

06/25/2025

I always felt so bad for Tommy when we would go through heat waves like we are. Although he was a horse who enjoyed the heat, I felt bad I didn’t have a pool I could dunk him in or a way that I could allow him to still use his brain, without straining himself. When he had to use his brain and really think is when he would thrive the most, he loved a good brain game💗

One of my colleagues shared a video of her trying to get her horses to bob for apples in a water trough, so I decided it would be fun to try out with Tommy! It took some trial and error to get the right water depth, as well as carrot to water ratio to make it worth his while, but overall, I don’t think he had many complaints!

What fun ways have you found to work your horse’s brain without them really having to strain their body physically? Share in the comments! Most creative idea wins a gift card to get a refresher or ice cold coffee in this heat!⬇️

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Marshfield, MA

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https://themissingpieceest.com/#home

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