Struggling to Hold Condition? 9 Ways Höveler Original Sport Helps

Quick answer: Höveler Original Sport is a premium, soy-free sports muesli formulated to help horses in regular work maintain condition. It supplies 15.1% crude protein with added amino acids (lysine 1.0%, threonine 1.0%), 12.6 MJ of digestible energy per kg DM, and 9.0% crude fat from linseed. Best for horses that work hard but tend to slip a rib. Price: $49.99. Last checked: September 2026.

Some horses work well, eat well, and still seem to shrink by the middle of the season. Holding condition on a horse in real work is a ration problem, not a grooming one. Höveler has built feed since 1905 — over 120 years of expertise — and Original Sport is its response for working horses that need condition support. Here are nine ways it helps.

1. Digestible energy at 12.6 MJ per kg DM

Condition begins with enough energy truly absorbed. Original Sport delivers 12.6 MJ/kg DM digestible energy (11.0 MJ metabolizable), a serious fuel level for a reduced-starch feed. The benefit: more calories available for keeping weight on, not just for the arena.

Who this is for: horses that come out of each week a little leaner than they went in.

2. 15.1% crude protein with complete amino acids

Muscle means condition. The feed carries 15.1% crude protein, supported by added essential amino acids — lysine 1.0%, threonine 1.0%, and methionine plus cysteine at 0.93%. That completeness is what converts protein into topline.

Who this is for: horses shedding muscle over the topline as the season goes on.

3. 9.0% crude fat from linseed

Linseed, linseed oil, and sunflower oil push crude fat to 9.0%. Oil is a dense, calm energy source that supports weight and coat together without adding starch.

Who this is for: owners who have heard “add oil to the bucket” but want it already balanced in the ration.

4. Reduced starch — 15% — so energy doesn't cost the gut

Weight gain through straight grain can cost you digestive comfort. Original Sport keeps starch at only 15% and sugar at 4.6%, holding condition through fiber and fat instead.

Who this is for: hard-working horses that go off their feed or get fizzy on high-starch rations.

5. Yeast and prebiotic fiber to support gut function

Diamond V inactivated yeast at 0.7% and fructooligosaccharide prebiotic fiber support a stable digestive system. A horse that digests efficiently gets more out of each pound of feed — the unseen foundation of holding condition.

Who this is for: horses whose ribs keep showing no matter what you feed.

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6. High in vitamin E

The formula is high in vitamin E, an antioxidant that supports normal muscle function in horses in consistent work. Hard-working muscles face more oxidative stress, and vitamin E is performance horse feed the standard nutritional answer.

Who this is for: sport horses asked for real effort several days a week.

7. Grape seed antioxidants at 0.5%

Grape seed meal appears at 0.5%, a natural source of antioxidants that complements the vitamin E. Together they support recovery and condition in a working horse.

Who this is for: owners already buying separate antioxidant supplements and preferring it in the feed.

8. A defined feeding ladder you can actually climb

The feeding rates scale cleanly with work: 0.55 lb, 0.88 lb, then 1.32 lb per 220 lb of body weight. When condition dips, you have a measured, clear way to increase intake rather than fumbling with scoops.

Who this is for: owners who want figures, not folklore.

9. German craft with a safety net

Made in Germany by Höveler, this muesli is competition-safe and FEI-compliant (verify rules with your event organizer). bifid backs each purchase with a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee and a 24/7 licensed vet team, and the store holds a 9.0/10 rating across 24,098 reviews.

Who this is for: owners testing a premium feed for the first time and wanting the risk removed.

How to feed it

Rates are given per 220 lb (100 kg) of body weight per day:

Work levelFeed per day per 220 lb (100 kg) Light work0.55 lb (250 g) Medium work0.88 lb (400 g) Heavy work1.32 lb (600 g)

Hay ration: 3.31 lb (1.5 kg) per 220 lb body weight each day — forage always forms the base, and the concentrate supports what forage alone cannot in real work.

Key specs at a glance: 15.1% crude protein, 12.6 MJ digestible energy per kg DM, 9.0% crude fat, 15% starch, lysine 1.0%.

Calculate your horse's exact daily amount with the Feeding Calculator, and step rates up or down gradually rather than in one move.

If condition keeps slipping, ask the 24/7 licensed vet team for input — and the 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee covers the experiment. The full nutrient panel is listed on the Höveler Original Sport product page.

Frequently asked questions

Can a feed really help my horse hold condition?

A feed can support it. Höveler Original Sport combines 15.1% crude protein with added amino acids, 12.6 MJ/kg DM of digestible energy, and 9.0% crude fat — the building blocks a working horse needs to maintain weight and muscle. Body condition also relates to dental health, parasite control, and workload.

How much should I feed a horse that keeps losing weight?

Begin at the rate for the actual work level — 0.55 lb, 0.88 lb, or 1.32 lb per 220 lb (100 kg) of body weight per day — and change gradually. Use the Feeding Calculator for precision, and ask the 24/7 licensed vet team if condition keeps slipping.

Is it suitable alongside plenty of hay?

Absolutely. The hay guideline is 3.31 lb (1.5 kg) per 220 lb of body weight per day, and forage should always form the base of the ration. The concentrate supports what forage alone can't cover in hard work.

Will it make my horse hot?

The feed is reduced-starch at 15% with just 4.6% sugar, and much of its energy comes from oil and fiber. That design is meant to support steady, workable energy rather than fizz.

Does it contain soy?

No. The formula is entirely soy-free, built on alfalfa, barley flakes, corn flakes, pea flakes, and linseed.