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 energy, is oat-free, and costs https://horse-feed260.nexorafield.com/posts/5-reasons-hoveler-western-sport-works-for-show-jumpers $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 overlooked number on most feed panels — until a horse's digestion tells you it was never quiet at all. Western Sport declares 16.7% crude fiber and lists its sources. Five things worth knowing about how that sits alongside serious energy.
1. Crude fiber reads at 16.7%
That is a solid 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 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 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 lists sunflower peels high up, before sunflower extraction meal feed. Alongside 28% alfalfa and the flake components, they are part of how the feed hits 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 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 steadier curve — the idea 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 supports the ration, but the fiber program begins 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 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 intensityNo heavy-work rate is published; adjust the rate to your horse's condition and training intensity, and always provide 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 high-energy, low-grain design.
Where does the fiber come from?
Primarily 28% alfalfa, with sunflower peels and the flake components doing their part. Both fiber leads are listed in the ingredient list.
Do I still need to feed hay?
Yes. The feeding guidance says to always provide adequate forage, and the printed rates are set with a forage base in mind.
Will the fiber make my horse "gutty" or flat?
Fiber evens out energy delivery rather than removing it — the feed still delivers 12.19 MJ/kg with convertible energy of 11.21 MJ/kg. Feed at the work-matched rate and adjust 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 you are unsure.