It's not just humans that should take it easy if they're ill: experts say horses that have had the flu or other respiratory issues should rest for at least three weeks to allow their bodies to heal. Though lower-level exercise isn't necessarily harmful, high-intensity exercise can suppress immune system response and increase the horse's susceptibility to disease.
Intensely exercising a recovering horse can also cause him to lose weight and tire more quickly, as well as have a harder time recovering. Exercising does not affect virus duration or the duration of virus shedding.
It takes a minimum of three weeks for the respiratory epithelium and the mucociliary apparatus to heal, so allowing horses to rest or complete only low-level exercise is imperative. If exercise is begun and the horse seems distressed, it should be stopped immediately. Open communication with the treating veterinarian is key to creating a return-to-work plan tailored to the horse and his specific health issue.
Read more at EquiManagement.
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