Tennessee law enforcement authorities are hoping to solve the mystery surrounding the sudden deaths of seven horses in Maury County earlier this month.

Det. Terry Chandler said the Maury County Sheriff’s Department was alerted to the deaths on Feb. 1 after the horses’ owner discovered the six mares and one stallion dead in their pasture. Three other horses residing on the property were unharmed, Chandler said.

Chandler said there was no indication that the horses struggled or attempted to flee an assailant before death. No wounds or other injuries were found on the animals’ carcasses.

"It’s as though they just suddenly fell over dead," Chandler said. "One of the horses still had hay in its mouth