Höveler Western Sport: 5 Protein Sources Behind the 14% on the Label

Quick answer: Höveler Western Sport is a low-grain, high-energy muesli for medium to intensively trained western horses, with 14.0% crude protein and 107 g/kg digestible crude protein supplied by 28% alfalfa, 3.5% pea flakes, and 1.5% soy extraction meal. $37.99 per 44 lb bag, oat-free, made in Germany. Best for owners developing muscle through the ration. Last checked: September 2026.

A protein percentage doesn't mean much until you know where it comes from. Western Sport's 14.0% is built from named ingredients, with the amino acid lines listed underneath. Five things to understand about how the protein in this bag is really built.

1. Alfalfa carries the protein load at 28%

The biggest single ingredient is alfalfa, at 28% — and the product summary on the Höveler Western Sport 44 lb bag names it directly for muscle development and peak performance. When nearly a third of the mix is alfalfa, the 14.0% https://sites.google.com/view/competition-horse-feed/ crude protein figure has a whole-food source behind it, not just a fortified premix.

Who this is for: owners who want protein from the ingredient list, not the additive shelf.

2. Digestible crude protein is declared at 107 g/kg

The panel moves past the percentage: 107 g of digestible crude protein per kg. That is the number describing what the horse can actually use, and it sits alongside 14.0% crude protein so you can assess the feed on both counts.

The benefit: a protein claim you can verify against a second printed figure.

3. Amino acids are specified, not implied

Lysine 0.58%, threonine 0.53%, and methionine+cysteine 0.46% are declared per kg. Those three values is how a serious ration supports muscle development — they say the 14.0% protein is put together with the key building blocks accounted for.

Who this is for: horses in medium to intensive training whose topline has to keep up with the work.

4. Pea flakes and soy extraction meal round out the sources

The declaration includes 3.5% pea flakes and 1.5% soy extraction meal feed next to the alfalfa. Notice what that means both ways: the feed is not soy-free — the 1.5% soy extraction meal is declared — while it remains oat-free, fitting oat-sensitive horses instead.

The benefit: complete honesty about what is in the bag, including the soy.

5. The protein program is built to feed work, not just maintenance

The same kg of Western Sport carries 12.19 MJ digestible energy and 6.10% crude fat, plus Vitamin E 260 mg and biotin 1,185 µg per kg. Protein without the energy to spare it gets burned as fuel; this formulation provides both so the 107 g/kg can go toward muscle and performance.

Who this is for: western horses whose training calendar demands a complete performance ration.

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 gives no heavy-work rate; adjust the rate to condition and training intensity, and keep adequate forage alongside.

Key specs at a glance: 14.0% crude protein, 107 g/kg digestible crude protein, lysine 0.58%, threonine 0.53%, methionine+cysteine 0.46%, 28% alfalfa, 3.5% pea flakes, 1.5% soy extraction meal, oat-free.

To match the ration to your horse, use the feeding calculator.

Frequently asked questions

Where does the 14.0% protein come from?

Primarily 28% alfalfa, supported by 3.5% pea flakes and 1.5% soy extraction meal feed — all named in the ingredient list, with 107 g/kg digestible crude protein printed on the panel.

Is Western Sport soy-free?

No. The feed contains 1.5% soy extraction meal feed, which is stated on the label. It is oat-free, which is the sensitivity it is formulated around.

How much protein does a 1,100 lb horse in medium work get?

At 0.88 lb (400 g) per 220 lb (100 kg), a 1,100 lb horse gets through roughly 4.4 lb daily, so protein intake scales with 14.0% of the ration. Check exact amounts at the feeding calculator.

Will this protein help my horse's topline?

The formulation pairs the protein package — 107 g/kg digestible crude protein with declared lysine and threonine — with 12.19 MJ/kg digestible energy and 28% alfalfa for muscle development. Topline results come down to training alongside feeding.

Is it competition-legal?

Yes — competition-safe and FEI-compliant. Verify specific rules with your event organizer.