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 scan a feed bag for protein and energy and skip the ingredient list. That is a mistake when alfalfa is doing this much of the work. Here is what 28% alfalfa actually means for your western horse, 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 considered structural choice, not a filler: the label states 28% alfalfa is included for muscle development and peak performance. When an ingredient sits that high on a list, its character becomes the feed's identity.

Who this is for: owners who want the first ingredient to pull its weight, 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 near each other.

The benefit: you feed to a panel value you can trust, because the digestible figure is printed next to it.

3. Alfalfa works alongside 6.10% crude fat for conditioning

Muscle and topline require 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 hold topline through a full training week but go hot on grain-heavy mixes.

4. The fiber fraction starts with alfalfa — 16.7% crude fiber

Crude fiber reads at 16.7%, and alfalfa leads the fiber sources alongside sunflower peels. Fiber slows the rate of intake and supports steady digestion, which is exactly what you need 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 suits oat-sensitive horses. With oats off the table, the 28% alfalfa, barley flakes, corn flakes, and linseed cake carry the ration. 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 require 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 intensity

The page lists no heavy-work rate; tune the amount 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 well matched — it supports muscle development at 14.0% protein with 107 g/kg digestible crude protein. An idle horse on the same rate may not require 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 high-energy, low-grain 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 shows at 1.44% against 0.50% phosphorus, which reflects the alfalfa and calcium carbonate in the mix. That balance is shown on the panel, and it is formulated for working horses alongside their 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.

https://competition-pelletsecno731.stonefielddigest.com/posts/hoveler-western-sport-5-alfalfa-facts-that-change-how-you-read-the-bag

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, divided into more than one meal. Confirm with the feeding calculator.