Why will they not eat this bale of haylage?

[[127815]]

I put the bale of haylage out for the horses on Sunday as I usually do but they've hardly touched it. It smells fine to me, no mold can't see anything wrong myself but they're looking for food and not eating the bale. My horses aren't particularly fussy it's very strange for them to turn their nose up to anything. They've demolished the other bales no problem. Consistent and good supplier and not cheap! Does anyone any thoughts what it could be?

 

[cobgoblin]

They obviously know something you don't. I'd replace it.

 

[marmalade76]

A friend is given haylege unsuitable for sale by a neighbour for his cattle, he was given a bale that had been returned as horses wouldn't eat it, looked and smelt fine but even the cattle wouldn't eat it so agree with the above, they know something we don't.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

It possibly has something inside like a dead animal it that smells foul to them but our noses aren't good enough to pick up.
Same with a potential contaminant that we can't see or smell.

 

[cobgoblin]

It possibly has something inside like a dead animal it that smells foul to them but our noses aren't good enough to pick up.
Same with a potential contaminant that we can't see or smell.

And if this is the case you really don't want them eating it because of the risk of botulism.

 

[windswoo]

I thought the same thing something's been baled inside it and died.