Topline Animal Services and Rehab

08/30/2025

Let's spend two days chatting about my 2 favorite groups of fascia: Visceral and Thoracolumbar.

The web and the power grid. Visceral is on my mind today, so we will cover that one first.

When I first learned about fascia, it was explained like a thin collagen sheet that gave the body shape and form; that it held the muscles in their correct groups and allowed for some dysfunction, but it would only stretch so much and would then cause dysfunction on the opposite end of the horse. We learned about fascia groupings and myofascial kinetic lines and how they are all connected. All of this was taught to me before I sat and watched a few dissections and studied all I could about the body. Today, I know that this definition is much more like a comparison to the first cell phone to now: soooo 1980s. The truth is fascia is a 3d honeycomb that moves, breathes, is highly innervated, and performs on a much higher level than we can begin to understand.

So when we think of fascia, most people that don't have their hands on it consistently picture it as the network that surrounds muscle and joints. One connection that people don't always make is that there is also Visceral fascia. This is the fascia group that supports and anchors the organs inside the body.

That being said, visceral fascia is more than just a holding net; it plays global roles in:
>>Posture and Balance: restrictions in the gut, lungs, or diaphragm will change how a horse stands, moves, and carries their rider
>>Breathing and Core Stability: the fascia surrounding the diaphragm ties directly into the stability of the spine and their energy overall
>>Movement and Performance: Stiffness and tension in this fascial group will show up as shortened strides, reluctance to bend, or difficulty with topline engagement
>>Circulations and Healing: Healthy fascia helps keep blood, lymph, and energy moving through the entire body

When visceral fascia is restricted, horse will compensation with tension in another area of the body. This leads to sore back, uneven gaits, more even behavioral changes.

This is why you will see me address the whole horse, not just the parts you can see. When you include addressing things like visceral fascia in bodywork and rehab, you support soundness, comfort, and long term performance from the inside out.

Horses bodies are a closed system: when one part is restricted, the whole body feels it. Releasing fascia releases more athletic potential.


www.toplineanimalservices.com
404-877-8571

08/26/2025

Good read from my memories today

08/23/2025

This is an odd post, even for me. But in all honesty, I wouldn't be me if I wasn't perusing the internet for any kind of oddball research in the hopes it would help me with some of my trickier rehab cases.

I'm absolutely fascinated by the rabbit hole I fell into a few days ago, and I think it's worth a thought provoking share.

I've been reading about Gerald Pollack's research on water: the difference in the water we drink, the water in our bodies, living water, and dead water. My mind is blown. In his research, he sites how the water in our bodies isn't just "regular water." He believes, and his research appears to have proven, that the water in our bodies actually forms what he says is structured water (sometimes notated as H3O2).

This type of water builds up a negative charge, stores energy (think: battery), and helps move fluid throughout the body with out a pump. It's tied into healing, circulation and even mitochondrial function.

Ehrm...excuse me? In my head, I ran straight to the alleyway where the horses and humans are eerily similar.

Here's where it gets a little wild: our bodies naturally build structured water when we are exposed to the sun and its infrared light, which thickens/expands/strengthens it. This rebuilding phase actually feeds into our electromagnetic field-the energy we radiate outwards from our bodies. Horses being constantly out in the sun, constantly grounded, and constantly rebuilding structured water have electromagnetic fields that are so much larger and more stable than ours. Maybe that's why just standing near a horse can feel calming/energizing/more healing. Plants are already full of structured water (maybe that's why they are mostly good for us??). Horses spend all day out in the sun, grazing on plants and they are grounded through earth all the time. No wonder they are so good at balancing our energy.

The role of grounding? Pollack's research says it's huge. Stabilizing the charge in the body and supporting the structure of internal water. When structured water expands in response to infrared light, the experiment shows it generates a measurable voltage. That's actual electricity being made by the water inside of our bodies....how crazy is that?

Reading this made me think about the way horses and humans interact. Their connections to the earth, magnetic field sizes, exposure to natural light. It's crazy that they are basically building and supporting structured water all day long!

I just find this so interesting. What a great reminder that nature already has and will continue to give us everything we need!

Stay tuned, I've got some really interesting cases of the week coming up.j

www.toplineanimalservices.com

08/19/2025

Exciting things are happening here!

As I gear up for our final bits of red tape, I'm also working on the ozone therapy certification and wrapping up both my Rehab Therapist Certification and the publishing of my proprioceptive course...it's been a banger of a year!

Due to all of this exponential growth, I have 2 younger teens who have expressed enough interest in becoming bodyworkers so they will be shadowing me and learning the basics of rehab and bodywork. They'll be focused on safe handling, anatomy, palpation, and observation while getting an early start in this industry. How awesome is that?

At the same time, I'm opening up 1-2 rare internship spots for some adult, driven horse people that are interested in taking things to the next level.
*Interns will work directly beside me on real rehab cases
*1-2 days a week now, growing into 3-5 days a week once the facility opens this fall
*Your horse worked, meals on long days, and mentorship you can't get in a classroom
*When your internship and schooling are complete, this can lead to a paid position here at Topline or launch you into the industry fully prepared

Both of these programs are for people who are serious, consistent, and drug and drama free. I love the interns that I have, but their time is a limiting factor and I need more help. Exponential growth is amazing, but it's beginning to limit me as well.

If you cannot commit, please do not apply or even approach a discussion. If you'd like to discuss or need more information, please reach out anytime.

www.toplineanimalservices.com
404-877-8571

Explore top-notch equestrian services at Topline Animal Services. Contact us today for expert care and support for your horses.

08/18/2025

Photobiomodulation is an amazing thing.
Huh? Photobiomodulation is light therapy. Some would say it's more of a color theory, but I'm a wavelength girl.

Light therapy isn't just red lights and infrared treatments. There is a whole spectrum of colors and their corresponding wavelengths for therapeutic values. Each wavelength has a different job in supporting the body, whether it be for rehab, maintenance level, or peak performance.

Purple/violet (400-430nm) targets microbes, helps manage skin infections, and supports healthy immune responses

Blue (450-495nm) deals with surface level antibacterial effects, helps with skin health and wounds, and when dealing with really sore muscles the blue light has a cooling sensation

Green (495-570nm) has a calming effect on the nervous system, supports circulation and tissue oxygenation, and has a soothing effect on soft tissue injuries

Amber (570-600nm) perfect for inflammation just below the skin, soft tissue repair, and overall relaxation

Red (600-700nm) surface level healing, wound recovery, scar tissue softening

Near infrared (700-900nm) Penetrates deeper into the muscles, tendons, ligaments, excellent for reducing inflammation and decreasing recovery time

Infrared (900-1100nm) reaches joints and bone, supporting mobility, arthritis management, and long term soundness

Multi wavelength therapy means you're getting layered benefits from skin repair to joint support, making it a powerful tool for rehab and maintenance. This is why my solarium has been designed with more than red and blue lights, and why I use dual or more colored torches for my acupoint services.

This picture is of Perry from 4 years ago, but she still enjoys her acupoint sessions. My torch is out of the frame and all she wants to do is touch me. She has spent a lot of time over the years reaching back in appreciation.

08/17/2025

Equine First Aid Classes in Concord, GA. Addy and I are your instructors for all of these dates!

Magnolia Farms Equestrian Center
121 College St | Concord
Sept 13 & 14: Standard and Advanced Equine Emergency First Aid
Oct 4: Disaster Planning and Emergency Preparedness
Oct 5: Youth Equine Emergency First Aid, Taught all day by my Junior Instructor Addy
All Full day classes are $169 and include all your materials, snacks, meal, your comprehensive manuals, and your certificate of completion. If you are doing both the standard and advanced classes, the price is reduced to $320. The I Can Help is $69 and the Fundamentals is $99. (Please check the age group on the flyers before signing up)
The flyers are below and the registration buttons are set up for you here:
https://toplineanimalservices.com/clinic%2Fclass...

Registration closes August 27. If you do not complete your payment, your registration is not considered complete and you will not be able to sit in on the class.

Want more information? Want to host your own series? You know where to find me!

I'll post some more information about available classes in the coming weeks. I'm really excited about the Mare and Foal days coming up.

08/14/2025

Awe sweet Baloo in my memories today.

He still holds my record for the fastest anhidrosis reversal in my tenure...I'm game if anyone else wants to challenge his record 💪🏼💪🏼

08/14/2025

This page and my business have both grown exponentially, and it's been a minute since I introduced myself.

Hey there! I'm Sara, founder of Topline Animal Services and Rehab LLc-soon to be the only in house rehab center in Georgia built entirely around bodywork for horses, dogs, and livestock. While I'm busy tweaking a few things in the permits and buildings area of things, I'm still busy keeping the roads warm!

I've spent my whole life in the horse world and began teaching riding lessons as a young teenager. I hold a bachelor's degree in Animal Science with a focus on Pre Veterinary Medicine, am a certified Principles of Equine Nutrition Instructor, and Certified Equi-First Aid USA Instructor, and currently sit on the advisory board for Equi-First Aid USA. I've written for 2 natyional industry magazines and have presented and spoken at events all over the southeast.

My program blends bodywork biomechanics/tensegrity, fascial releases, craniosacral therapy, neuromuscular reeducation, kinesiology taping, nutrition, biofeedbacks and so much more because recovery is never one size fits all. I work closely with vets, farriers, trainers, chiropractors, other bodyworkers, etc in efforts to keep animals moving better, recovering stronger, and staying sound longer. I believe in a non invasive strategic whole body approach, and am there for my clients through their rehab and maintenance program.

Whether you're here for rehab, performance maintenance, or just curious about Topline-welcome! You'll see a good mix of education, case stories, and behind the scenes for all my travels!

I promise I'll update about the facilities more; this weather has been killer for anyone wanting to build anything!

Based in Georgia, serving local and haul in clients.

Feel free to introduce yourself in the comments and tell me how you found me!

www.toplineanimalservices.com

08/12/2025

!!HOT TOPIC TUESDAY!!

I heard a conversation yesterday I heard a conversation yesterday one boarder to another:

"more work means faster healing..."

NO. Absolutely not. Let's remove this from your vocabulary. It will never in the history of recovery be true.

The truth is strategic rest plus targeted exercises are what get you the long term results. The truth is that often times more work without strategy will bring more injuries and potentially cause any underlying issues to become career ending.

If you need a strategic plan or anything, they are available via zoom or in person by appointment.

08/10/2025

Just wanted to share a quick hoof abscess treatment I just read about in one of my forums. I'd never heard about this one, so I know I'm not alone!

She said this method was passed down to her from a brilliant Italian vet, is foolproof, and has worked for her in under 5 hours on numerous occasions.

>>Soak linseed (FLAXSEED) in hot water until it swells.
>>Let it cool slightly
>>Pack it around and under the hoof
>>Wrap it with a diaper and add your hoof boot, homemade or purchased.

Within hours, there was immediate relief without extra trauma and the flax seed is actually cheaper than drawing salve or animalintex.

So who had "flax seed in your first aid kit" on your bingo card?
Definitely not me!