08/07/2026
A good guide for returning your equine back to work after wildfire smoke has cleared.
Once air quality returns to the Good (AQI 0–50) or Moderate (AQI 51–100) range, the lungs may still need time to recover, especially if a horse was exposed to several days of wildfire smoke. There are no universally accepted return-to-work rules, but veterinary experts generally recommend a gradual return based on the severity and duration of exposure.
If the horse had no respiratory signs
(Just rested during smoky conditions.)
* Smoke lasted 1–3 days: Resume normal work over 1–2 days.
* Smoke lasted 4–7 days: Start with 1–2 days of light work, then increase intensity over the next several days.
* Smoke lasted more than a week: Gradually increase work over 5–7 days, watching closely for coughing or reduced stamina.
If the horse showed mild signs
(Coughing, nasal discharge, slower recovery after exercise, decreased performance.)
* Rest until signs have completely resolved.
* Then begin with:
* Days 1–3: Walking and easy trotting (20–40 minutes).
* Days 4–6: Add longer trotting and short canters.
* Days 7–10: Return to normal conditioning if no symptoms recur.
If the horse had moderate or severe signs
(Increased breathing effort at rest, frequent coughing, fever, or obvious exercise intolerance.)
The horse should be examined by a veterinarian before returning to work. Recovery may take weeks rather than days, and some horses benefit from airway endoscopy or bronchoalveolar lavage to assess persistent inflammation.
During the first week back
Monitor:
* Coughing during warm-up
* Nasal discharge
* Slower-than-normal recovery of breathing after exercise
* Unusual fatigue or unwillingness to work
* Increased respiratory rate at rest
If any of these occur, reduce the workload and consult your veterinarian.
A conservative approach for performance horses
Many equine sports medicine veterinarians recommend that after prolonged wildfire smoke (AQI >150 for several consecutive days), horses should have 3–7 days of gradually increasing exercise even after the AQI returns to normal. This recognizes that airway inflammation can persist after the smoke clears.
A simple progression might look like this:
Day Work
1 20–30 minutes walking, with a few minutes of easy trot
2. 30–40 minutes walk/trot
3. Add short canter intervals
4–5. Moderate schooling or conditioning
6–7. Return to full work if the horse remains symptom-free
For horses competing in disciplines requiring maximal aerobic effort (eventing, endurance, racing, upper-level dressage, etc.), erring on the side of a slower return is prudent, as even mild residual airway inflammation can reduce performance before it becomes obvious clinically.
