Höveler Western Sport: 5 Fiber Sources Working Inside Every Scoop

Quick answer: Höveler Western Sport is a high-energy, low-grain muesli for medium to intensively trained western horses, built on 16.7% crude fiber from alfalfa and sunflower peels among its sources. It still delivers 12.19 MJ/kg digestible https://equine-competitioncyrj399.northstarcolumn.com/posts/hoveler-western-sport-vs-a-generic-muesli-5-differences-that-separate-them energy, is oat-free, and costs $37.99 per 44 lb bag. Best for working horses that need energy with a fiber-friendly base. Last checked: September 2026.

Fiber is the quiet number on most feed panels — until a horse's digestion shows you it was never quiet at all. Western Sport declares 16.7% crude fiber and names its sources. Five things worth knowing about how that sits alongside serious energy.

1. Crude fiber reads at 16.7%

That is a substantial fiber figure for a feed that also carries 12.19 MJ/kg digestible energy. Most high-energy mixes give fiber up for calories; Western Sport holds 16.7% crude fiber inside a low-grain build, which is the formulation's core balancing act.

Who this is for: owners who want a fiber-forward base without giving up performance energy.

2. 28% alfalfa is the lead fiber source

Nearly a third of the mix is alfalfa, declared in the ingredient list on the Höveler Western Sport 44 lb bag and named in the summary for muscle development and peak performance. Alfalfa contributes both the fiber fraction and the protein backbone — 14.0% crude protein and 107 g/kg digestible crude protein.

The benefit: one ingredient handling fiber and protein jobs at once.

3. Sunflower peels are a declared fiber ingredient

The ingredient list lists sunflower peels near the top, ahead of sunflower extraction meal feed. Next to 28% alfalfa and the flake components, they are part of how the feed reaches 16.7% crude fiber while staying a muesli horses sort through happily.

Who this is for: horses that need gut-friendly structure but turn their noses up at coarse, unpalatable rations.

4. The fiber base keeps the energy delivery even

Starch sits at 18.30% and sugar at 5.30%, and the formula is oat-free. With crude fiber at 16.7% underneath, energy from barley flakes, corn flakes, sunflower oil, and linseed oil comes on a more even curve — the idea behind "low-grain, high-energy."

The benefit: a horse that still has concentration in the seventh pattern run, not just the first.

5. Forage stays first — the feed is built alongside it

The feeding guidance is clear: always provide adequate forage. Western Sport's 16.7% crude fiber backs the ration, but the fiber program starts with hay, and the feed rates — 0.55 lb (250 g) light, 0.88 lb (400 g) medium per 220 lb (100 kg) — are set with that forage base in mind.

Who this is for: owners who understand that a concentrate supports forage, never takes its place.

How to feed it

Feeding rates per 220 lb (100 kg) of body weight per day:

Work levelDaily rate Light work0.55 lb (250 g) Medium work0.88 lb (400 g) Heavy workNot listed — adjust to condition and training intensity

No heavy-work rate is published; tune the amount to your horse's condition and training intensity, and keep adequate forage alongside.

Key specs at a glance: 16.7% crude fiber, 28% alfalfa, 14.0% protein, 12.19 MJ/kg digestible energy, 18.30% starch, 5.30% sugar, oat-free.

To weigh the daily ration correctly, use the feeding calculator.

Frequently asked questions

Is 16.7% crude fiber high for a performance feed?

It is a solid figure for a feed delivering 12.19 MJ/kg digestible energy. Most high-energy mixes carry less fiber; Western Sport keeps 16.7% as part of its high-energy, low-grain design.

Where does the fiber come from?

Primarily 28% alfalfa, with sunflower peels and the flake components contributing. Both fiber leads are listed in the ingredient list.

Do I still need to feed hay?

Yes. The feeding guidance states to always provide adequate forage, and the printed rates are written with a forage base in mind.

Will the fiber make my horse "gutty" or flat?

Fiber moderates energy delivery without removing it — the feed still supplies 12.19 MJ/kg with convertible energy of 11.21 MJ/kg. Use the work-matched rate and tune to condition.

Is it okay for an oat-sensitive horse?

Yes — the formula is oat-free and fits oat-sensitive horses. Check specific sensitivities with the 24/7 licensed vet team if unsure.