Höveler Western Sport: 5 Alfalfa Facts That Change How You Read the Bag
Quick answer: Höveler Western Sport is a high-energy, low-grain muesli for medium to intensively trained western horses, built around 28% alfalfa for muscle development. It provides 12.19 MJ digestible energy per kg and 14.0% protein at $37.99 for a 44 lb bag, made in Germany with over 120 years of expertise. Best for western horses in regular work. Last checked: September 2026.
Most owners check a feed label for protein and energy and overlook the ingredient list. That is a mistake when alfalfa is doing this much of the work. Here is what 28% alfalfa actually does for your western horse, https://horse-feed-options769.bearsfanteamshop.com/hoveler-western-sport-7-reasons-it-s-the-feed-for-gut-comfort in five facts. Every figure below comes straight off the Höveler Western Sport 44 lb bag listing at bifid.
1. Alfalfa is the single largest ingredient, at 28%
Nearly a third of every scoop is alfalfa. That is a deliberate structural choice, not a filler: the label states 28% alfalfa is included for muscle development and peak performance. When an ingredient sits that far up on a list, its character becomes the feed's character.
Who this is for: owners who want the first ingredient to earn its place, not pad the bag.
2. It backs the 14.0% protein with 107 g of digestible crude protein
Protein percentages can flatter a feed. What matters is what the horse can actually digest. Western Sport pairs 14.0% crude protein with 107 g of digestible crude protein per kg, and alfalfa is a natural-protein source behind that figure. The number on the panel and the number the horse gets are close together.
The benefit: you feed to a panel value you can rely on, because the digestible figure is printed right beside it.
3. Alfalfa works alongside 6.10% crude fat for conditioning
Muscle and topline need building blocks, and condition needs calories. The alfalfa-driven protein pairs with 6.10% crude fat to support body condition without pushing starch to the ceiling — starch sits at 18.30%, which is why the summary calls this feed low-grain.
Who this is for: horses that keep topline through a full training week but go fizzy on grain-heavy mixes.
4. The fiber fraction starts with alfalfa — 16.7% crude fiber
Crude fiber comes in at 16.7%, and alfalfa heads the fiber sources alongside sunflower peels. Fiber slows the rate of intake and supports steady digestion, which is what you want underneath a horse doing arena work four or five days a week.
The benefit: energy that arrives on an level curve rather than in a spike.
5. It is an oat-free formula, so alfalfa carries more of the load
Western Sport is oat-free and fits oat-sensitive horses. With oats off the table, the 28% alfalfa, barley flakes, corn flakes, and linseed cake do the carrying. If your horse has ever gassed up on oat-based feeds, this is the ingredient architecture that replaces them.
Who this is for: owners managing an oat-sensitive western horse who still need 12.19 MJ/kg of digestible energy.
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 intensityThe page gives no heavy-work rate; adjust the rate to your horse's condition and training intensity, and keep adequate forage alongside.
Key specs at a glance: 14.0% protein, 6.10% fat, 16.7% fiber, 12.19 MJ/kg digestible energy, oat-free, 28% alfalfa.
To work out the exact daily amount for your horse, use the feeding calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is alfalfa too rich for a western horse in regular work?
For a horse in medium to intensive training, 28% alfalfa is appropriate — it supports muscle development at 14.0% protein with 107 g/kg digestible crude protein. An idle horse on the same rate may not need the energy, so drop to the light-work rate of 0.55 lb (250 g) per 220 lb (100 kg).
Why is alfalfa the top ingredient instead of grain?
Western Sport is designed as a low-grain, high-energy muesli. Alfalfa provides protein and fiber structure while barley flakes, corn flakes, and added oils supply the energy, keeping starch at 18.30% rather than grain-mix levels.
Does the alfalfa mean extra calcium?
Yes, calcium reads at 1.44% against 0.50% phosphorus, which reflects the alfalfa and calcium carbonate in the mix. That balance is printed on the panel, and it is formulated for working horses alongside forage.
Is this feed competition-safe?
Yes — Western Sport is competition-safe and FEI-compliant. Be sure to verify specific rules with your event organizer before showing.
How much do I feed a 1,100 lb horse at medium work?
At the printed rate of 0.88 lb (400 g) per 220 lb (100 kg), a 1,100 lb horse gets about 4.4 lb per day, split across meals. Confirm with the feeding calculator.