RADIUM SPRINGS, N.M. -- A horse shot three times in the head survives and is on its way back to health Tuesday.

In the meantime, investigators are looking to find out who may have to own up to cruelty charges.

Dona Ana County investigators said the horse has undergone X-rays Tuesday morning.

The 20-year-old mare was found Monday morning after it wandered into a yard in Radium Springs, N.M.

Evidence shows the horse fought for its life getting away from whomever shot her several times in a two-mile span.

"Two of them exited out the left side of her neck and one still remains in the nasal cavity right below her left eye just above her jawbone. Didn't hit anything fatal. Doesn't appear to be and massive damage," said Robyn Gojkovich from the Dona Ana County Sheriff 's Department.

The vet plans to keep the horse on antibiotics and will have a follow-up appointment next week.

The mare is currently under foster care in Dona Ana while the case is being investigated.