Former jockey Rowan Waymouth is recovering in a Melbourne hospital following an operation to repair a fractured skull after he was apparently kicked by a horse.

Waymouth, who is now a horse breaker and pre-trainer, was found injured in a paddock on the Mornington Peninsula on Tuesday, and later underwent a 4-1/2 hour operation.

His sister Rebecca told Melbourne radio RSN927 the surgeons were happy with the surgery and it appeared his safety helmet had saved him from more serious injury.