Tennessee Republican Congressman Tim Burchett was rushed to the hospital late Sunday after being “accidentally kicked by a horse” while working on his property.
Burchett is expected to make a full recovery after suffering a broken rib and bruising in his chest.
The 60-year-old congressman’s injuries happened when a horsefly landed on his horse’s tail, causing the animal to get spooked. The horse then kicked Burchett in the chest “with both hooves,” leaving him with what he calls a unique battle scar, according to Fox News.
“It’s a cool mark,” Burchett told Pergram. “I’ve been toying with the idea of getting a tattoo.”
Despite the serious injury, press secretary Will Garrett said that Burchett isn’t slowing down his demanding schedule.
“He suffered a broken rib and bruising but hasn’t missed a beat,” Garrett said in a statement. “He spoke in Maury County last night and has a full slate of district events throughout the week. There have been no changes to his schedule.”
While the congressman made light of the situation, he also acknowledged the severity of what could have happened. The doctor told him he was “lucky,” because it would have been a serious problem had the blow “been an inch-and-a-half higher” on his heart.
It’s no big deal. Pray for our Country. https://t.co/qvxrVB1PXg
— Tim Burchett (@timburchett) July 29, 2025
This horse-related incident brings back difficult memories for the Burchett family. In August 2022, his young daughter Isabel sustained much more serious injuries in a horse accident that left the family shaken and required intensive medical care.
Isabel, described as an “avid barrel racer,” broke five ribs and a wrist, and sustained additional internal injuries in the 2022 accident. She spent a nerve-wracking 16 days in the ICU at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital,.
“It’s unbelievable, just how it all went down,” Burchett told NBC affiliate WBIR at the time of Isabel’s hospital release. “You know, rope could have wrapped around her neck, could have been tragic.”
Despite the serious nature of her injuries, Isabel showed the same toughness that seems to run in the family. She reportedly joked to her parents after the accident, “Look, Mama, I didn’t break a nail.”
Burchett praised his daughter’s resilience, saying: “She’s a tough little girl, and she’ll be back on that horse. She is one tough girl.”
The congressman, who has served in the House of Representatives since January 2019, previously served as mayor of Knox County, Tennessee. During his time in Congress, he has been outspoken on various issues, particularly gun rights.
Burchett has also made headlines over an alleged physical altercation with California RINO Rep. Kevin McCarthy following the former House speaker’s ousting, as well as throwing a notably brief 15-minute Christmas party on Capitol Hill.
Sources close to the congressman say he is feeling “fine now” after being hospitalized and that there will be no adjustments to his schedule of district events throughout the week.