Pillen, 68, was horseback riding with his family in the Cornhusker State on Sunday when he was injured after being thrown off a horse, his office announced. He was hospitalized and is expected to remain at the University of Nebraska Medical Center for the next “several days” as a cautionary measure.

“The Governor was transported to Columbus Community Hospital and, out of an abundance of caution, was then transported to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. The Governor is expected to remain at UNMC for several days. The Governor is alert and is in continuous touch with his team,” the governor’s office said in a statement Sunday.

“Gov. Pillen and his family are very appreciative of the thoughts and prayers given to them by Nebraskans, and they wish all Nebraskans a very merry Christmas,” the statement continued.

Pillen’s office also said they would provide additional updates about his condition.

Doctors at Nebraska Medicine said Monday that the governor had suffered a spleen injury, a minor kidney injury, a minor fracture on a vertebrae on his spine, along with several rib fractures, according to KETV. The doctors expect Pillen to remain in the hospital for at least one more day.

Nebraska’s congressional delegation, including Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE), Mike Flood (R-NE), and Adrian Smith (R-NE), along with Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE), all wished Pillen a speedy recovery from the injuries.

“Nebraskans, please join Susanne and I in praying tonight for a speedy recovery for Governor Pillen,” Ricketts, who preceded Pillen as governor, said in a post on X.

Pillen was first elected governor of Nebraska in 2022.