Feeding Round Bales or Large Squares?

Do you know what a conditioner does? Explain this logic! A hay conditioner helps to get hay dry quicker. A HAY CONDITIONER DOES NOT KEEP HAY DRY IN THE BALE AFTER BEING SET OUT IN THE RAIN. IF ANYTHING, CRACKED STEMS IN HAY WILL ABSORB WATER EASIER AND THUS BE MORE PRONE TO MOLD!

There will not be a higher incidence of baling up dead animals with rd bales or large square bales than there would be with small square bales. The chances of feeding a dead mouse in a flake of a small square bale are very similar to the chances of finding a snake or rabbit in a large rd bale.

A botulism shot might be a good idea, but it would be equally a good idea in small square bales.

No need to shout.

And yes, I understand what a hay conditioner does.

My logic is the dryer and more thoroughly cured the hay is, the less prone it is to mold, period, both while stored and while set out being fed.

I live in Central Virginia, an area that's damp and humid, and I have not had a problem with round bale spoilage with bales that stayed out more than a week.

So your "rule" about not leaving the bales out for more than a week may be a valid generalization in other parts of the world, but it hasn't been my experience.

I think we all can agree the longer you leave the bale exposed to weather, the more prone it will be to mold and spoilage. However, I would add that the amount of time it takes to mold or spoil depends on a variety of other factors.

And back to the OP, it is perfectly feasible to feed round bales safely to 2 - 4 horses.