Gibbons recovering from hip surgery

Gov. Jim Gibbons underwent surgery Wednesday for a broken hip suffered when he was thrown from a horse Tuesday afternoon.

Spokesman Dan Burns said the surgery took about two hours and successfully repaired the governor's pelvis, which was broken in at least two places.

Gibbons was transported by ambulance to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno after the 4:30 p.m. accident at a ranch north of Pyramid Lake. Deputy Chief of Staff Lynn Hettrick said the governor was in severe pain after the fall. He said the horse threw him and kicked him as it fled.

Burns said doctors described the injury as very common when someone is thrown from a horse and that the procedure to mend it is not complicated. The physician described the injuries as "very serious but very fixable."

Burns said doctors expect full recovery from the injury but that the governor will likely remain in the hospital until the end of the week.

"Gov. Gibbons will be able to continue to perform his duties as governor; however, his mobility will be very limited while he recuperates and undergoes physical therapy," said Burns in a statement released following the surgery.

He said Gibbons was in good spirits despite the pain.

The horse was described as gentled for riding just a month ago.

The governor went to the ranch after a long cabinet meeting Tuesday morning discussing the budget with his agency heads.