Equestrian sports have their perks, but the dark side of the sport will send chills down your spine. With power-packed races and exciting wins, the other side of this sport carries horrific and life-threatening injuries. One such incident recently stunned the entire equestrian community. A well-talented jockey, Zack Zeigler, achieved around 193 wins in his life. Sadly, he is currently fighting for his life after a terrible accident.

The 35-year-old is under a ventilator at the Lincoln Trauma Center and has suffered from major injuries. This horrific incident occurred in an equestrian event where the horse was completely unharmed, but it took a great toll upon Zeigler and his family. There have been some updates about him which would be of interest to his well-wishers.

The terrific equestrian accident that stunned the entire community 

Zack Zeigler met a life-threatening incident on the 30th of September, while he was riding at Columbus Ag Park. He was saddle upon Burn in the final race scheduled on the card at the Nebraska racetrack and his gelding clashed with the leading rival that led to the unseating of Zeigler. This horrific incident will stay instilled in everyone’s mind.

According to the Paulick Report, after Zack’s fall, the 4-year-old gelding fell directly on top of the jockey and then rolled back onto him to get up. While doing so, he also ended up stepping on the back of his neck and the lower left side. The horse got up perfectly and was taken from the venue completely unharmed. However, Zack sustained multiple major injuries.

Zeigler was airlifted to the Trauma Center, where his fundraiser GoFundMe page was created. After the accident, coordinator Carrie Robb informed that he was sent under surgery immediately to repair his brain bleed. Other major injuries that the jockey has sustained are a possible C7 fracture, potential facial fractures, and a laceration to his right eye. The father of four kids is still admitted to the hospital under a ventilator. Thankfully, as of Sunday, he is responding to some commands.

Updates shared about the jockey after the terrifying accident 

“Zach has a long road to recovery and will be out for months (they have warned me there could be deficits and delays once he wakes up). He will have multiple therapy sessions once released from the hospital, which they have told me it could be weeks or months.” He has updated that the doctors have put a “fiber optic nerve” in Zack’s brain to measure the pressure and any potential swelling. It is also said that there is no idea when Zeigler will be discharged, he can stay in the hospital for months.

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Robb further added, “We tried to wean him off the ventilator, but his pressure spiked and his heart rate as well.” He said that he is aware that Zeigler needs rest, but he just wants him to wake up. Zack is a father of four and his boys just want their father back home, it is getting tougher for the kids as well. The jockey at this moment is in dire need of everyone’s support and prayers. Any kind of help at this moment, whether financial or otherwise, is crucial.  Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family, and the entire equestrian community.

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