Virginia governor hospitalized after thrown from horse in Africa

In this Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015 photo Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe leaves the chambers after delivering his annual State of the Commonwealth address at the Capitol in Richmond, Va. (AP)

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe was hospitalized Monday in Richmond with complications from being tossed by a horse and breaking seven ribs during a holiday trip to Africa with his family, a spokesman said.

McAuliffe was expected to spend the night at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center and recover for two or three days, spokesman Brian Coy said.

Doctors had expected the ribs to heal on their own, but medical monitoring identified increased fluid around his lungs, Coy said. The medical procedure was intended to drain the fluid, he said.

The McAuliffe family went to Africa to visit the governor's daughter, who works for a nonprofit, when McAuliffe was tossed by a horse in Tanzania around Christmas Day. Coy didn't know what spooked the horse.

"It's fair to say it's not his favorite choice of activities," Coy said of his boss and his ill-fated ride.

Coy stressed that McAuliffe has been working since the accident, including delivering his State of the Commonwealth address last week and a visit to Norfolk on Monday.

"He's been going about his job. This isn't a dire thing," Coy said.

In a statement, House Speaker William J. Howell said his thoughts were with the governor.

"I wish him a speedy recovery," he said.