Category Archives: Minnesota

Minnesota racing and breeding

Zach Ziegler Seriously Injured in Columbus Spill

From the Nebraska Thoroughbred Racing Network Facebook Page:

“Zach Ziegler was involved in a horse racing accident in the last race at Columbus Ag Park on 9/30/2023. His horse clipped heals with the horse in front of him when the horse went down he fell directly on top of Zach then rolled back onto him trying to get up and ended it with stepping on the back of his neck and lower left side when he finally got up. Zach has been unresponsive since the accident.

“He was flown right away by helicopter from Columbus to Lincoln trauma center were a team of doctors and surgeons were awaiting his arrival. Zach suffered a brain bleed ( which was fixed on arrival) serve bruising to the left side of his brain, bruising on the back of his brain. Possible C7 fracture, they have done multiple CT scans and still can’t tell if it’s a new break or old, laceration to his right eye and possible facial fractures (again can’t tell if they are new or old).

“He’s been on a ventilator since leaving Columbus and no real time line as to when he will actually be awake and off the ventilator. He has a traumatic brain injury so only time and Zach can control this healing process. His vitals are good, he has been in stable condition ever since he’s been out of surgery and in ICU. They did put a fiber optic probe in his brain to measure the pressure and activity to stay in top of any possible swelling.

“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. Zach is the dad to 4 kids and they need him to heal up quickly. Zach needs all the love, support, prayers and any help he can get right now.”

Here is the link to his Go Fund Me page. Please help if you can and, remember, prayers are free.