A horse that has gained a worldwide following for his recovery from a freak accident could be cleared to go home by the week of April 5, according to his veterinarians at the University of Tennessee Equine Hospital.

Since January, Amigo, a 10-year-old endurance horse, has been fighting for his life after a three-foot-long tree branch somehow pierced his side. The branch broke two ribs and collapsed a lung. In the last several weeks, Amigo has battled infection in the large wound.

One of his attending veterinarians, Nicholas Frank DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, said the biggest concern now is managing the tissue in the wound that is breaking down as it heals from the inside out. Frank adds that as long as the infection is contained and continues to drain, Amigo’s toxin levels will stay low, reducing his risk for laminitis.

Impalements are nothing new to Frank, but he says what makes Amigo’s case unique is the way the horse has battled through several life threatening situations. "His ability to work through these situations is just remarkable," Frank said