Leading South Australian jockey Barend Vorster continues to face challenges in his recovery from a mounting yard injury sustained in February 2023.
The incident left him with ongoing concussion symptoms and a neck injury, resulting in persistent headaches and neck pain that have sidelined him for nearly two years.
“The last three to four months have been pretty much the same, it just hasn’t really gone anywhere,” Vorster told racing.com.
“It’s ok, but not ok at the same time. I’ve just got to be grateful I can do a bit of this and that and keep myself busy and not be incapacitated in a serious way.”
Recent treatment from a new chiropractor revealed his C2 vertebra is rotated three degrees to the right and remains stuck, causing nerve compression.
“If I’m putting my head in certain positions that nerve is catching and is causing all the headaches,” he explained. Treatments have included nerve blocks, cortisone injections, and bone scans.
Despite the setbacks, Vorster remains active in the industry, assisting trainers Aaron Bain and Ned Taylor with planning and management tasks.
“I’m doing a bit of planning for them, which has been really good for me,” he said, adding that he will reassess his riding future after the new year.