Can likits go off?

[RubysGold]

One of the liveries came round today, she had a paddock size likit in a tub. She says her horse won't eat it. She's had it quite a while.
So she's given it to me and I've put it in my stable, the top layer has gone really thick and liquid. And I don't like the smell, but I don't know if its supposed to smell like that?
Nickie

 

[Katie__Connie]

I wouldn't have thought they can go off... but if it smells weird maybe they can?!

 

[mahorse]

Has it got a best before date on it?

 

[RubysGold]

I had a look for a date and couldn't find one on it

 

[Katie__Connie]

They probably don't go off as in become harmful but probs go a bit manky after a while!!

 

[indiat]

Is it possible to scrape the liquid layer off?

 

[teddyt]

Likits are made from almost pure sugar, so yes they can go off. Personally i wouldnt feed them anyway, let alone if it smells and looks dodgy!

 

[mahorse]

Isn't sugar a preservative? Thats why home made jam lasts sooooo long?
I would scrape the top off too and see what its like. My mare would eat it, I don't give likits anymore as with her they are like pringles, once they're popped she won't stop!

 

[teddyt]

Yes but jam has been boiled and then kept in a sealed jar. Once its been licked and open to the air it soon goes mouldy!

For the sake of throwing out someting that costs about a tenner i wouldnt risk it. False economy and asking for an ill horse!

 

[SarahX]

Yes, after a while mine got a bit mouldy, but maybe just because my old horse never ever used it!

 

[Sarah Sum1]

My horse would be bouncing off the walls if i gave him a likit tub!!! pure sugar.

 

[brightmount]

Like SarahX I've had mouldy Likits before, not that I've kept them for any length of time, they have sometimes turned out to be mouldy from the shop. Certainly put me off. I don't feed them any more as my horses finish them off in two bites, it's an insane amount of sugar in one hit!

 

[night_mare]

i know they have a sell by date on them because the tack shop at our yard offered the liveries the ones that were just going out of date as they couldn't sell them in the shop anymore. some of them had changed colour a bit but didn't seem to be off but if you have one that is well past its sell by date then i guess it might go off - the sell by date has to be therefore a reason i suppose.