Höveler Western Sport: 5 Fiber Sources Working Inside Every Scoop

Quick answer: Höveler Western Sport is a low-grain, high-energy 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 energy, is oat-free, and costs $37.99 per 44 lb bag. Best for working horses that want energy with a fiber-friendly base. Last checked: September 2026.

Fiber is the overlooked number on most feed panels — until a horse's digestion tells you it was never quiet at all. Western Sport prints 16.7% crude fiber and names its sources. Five things worth knowing about how that works 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 trade fiber away for calories; Western Sport keeps 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 sacrificing 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 cited in the summary for muscle https://horse-feed-selection065.urbanvellum.com/posts/hoveler-western-sport-5-amino-acid-numbers-every-working-horse-owner-should-check 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 doing fiber and protein jobs at once.

3. Sunflower peels are a declared fiber ingredient

The ingredient list names sunflower peels high up, 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 remaining a muesli horses pick through willingly.

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 reads 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 arrives on a more even curve — the design intent behind "low-grain, high-energy."

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

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

The feeding guidance is explicit: 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 written with that forage base in mind.

Who this is for: owners who understand that a concentrate backs up forage, never replaces it.

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 given; 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 supplying 12.19 MJ/kg digestible energy. Most high-energy mixes carry less fiber; Western Sport holds 16.7% as part of its low-grain, high-energy design.

Where does the fiber come from?

Mainly 28% alfalfa, with sunflower peels and the flake components contributing. Both fiber leaders 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 suits oat-sensitive horses. Check specific sensitivities with the 24/7 licensed vet team if unsure.