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 eat well, work 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 brushing one. Höveler has built feed since 1905 — over 120 years of expertise — and Original Sport is its answer 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 substantial fuel level for a reduced-starch feed. The benefit: more calories available for keeping weight on, not just for the ring.
Who this is for: horses that come out of every week a bit 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 full profile is what turns protein into topline.
Who this is for: horses losing 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 calm, dense energy source that supports weight and coat together without loading starch.
Who this is for: owners who have heard “add oil to the bucket” https://equine-performancewjsb013.stonefielddigest.com/posts/hoveler-original-sport-9-reasons-it-s-strong-value-for-cost-conscious-owners-of-working-horses but want it already built in in the ration.
4. Reduced starch — 15% — so energy doesn't cost the gut
Putting on weight through straight grain can come at the cost of 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 turn off their feed or get hot 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 well gets more out of each pound of feed — the quiet foundation of holding condition.
Who this is for: horses whose ribs show no matter how much you feed.
6. High in vitamin E
The formula is high in vitamin E, an antioxidant that supports healthy muscle function in horses in regular work. Hard-working muscles face more oxidative stress, and vitamin E is 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 plant-based source of antioxidants that complements the vitamin E. Together they support recovery and condition in a working horse.
Who this is for: owners currently buying separate antioxidant supplements and wanting it in the feed.
8. A defined feeding ladder you can actually climb
The feeding rates step 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 guessing with scoops.
Who this is for: owners who want numbers, not folklore.
9. German craft with a safety net
Made in Germany by Höveler, this muesli is competition-safe and FEI-compliant (check 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 needing 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 daily — forage always forms the base, and the concentrate covers what forage alone cannot in serious 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%.
Work out 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 drifting, ask the 24/7 licensed vet team for help — and the 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee covers the trial. 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 raw materials a working horse needs to maintain weight and muscle. Body condition also depends on 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 accuracy, and ask the 24/7 licensed vet team if condition continues to slip.
Is it suitable alongside plenty of hay?
Yes. The hay guideline is 3.31 lb (1.5 kg) per 220 lb of body weight daily, and forage should always form the base of the ration. The concentrate supports what forage alone cannot 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 fiber and oil. That design is intended to support even, workable energy rather than spark.
Does it contain soy?
No. The formula is completely soy-free, built on alfalfa, barley flakes, corn flakes, pea flakes, and linseed.