Höveler Western Sport: 9 Reasons It Holds Up Through Summer Training
Quick answer: Höveler Western Sport is a high-energy, low-grain muesli for medium to intensively trained western horses, delivering 12.19 MJ of digestible energy per kg, 14% crude protein, and 28% alfalfa in a 44 lb bag at $37.99. Best for a horse in a full summer training program. Last checked: September 2026.
Summer training pushes a horse harder than any other block of the year. Heat, longer sessions, and back-to-back hauls drain condition and appetite at the same time, and a feed that cannot carry the work shows up fast as a dull eye and a sinking topline. Your worry is fair: can one ration carry the whole program? Western Sport is formulated for horses in serious work. Here are nine reasons it holds up in summer.
1. 12.19 MJ/kg of digestible energy for long training days
Each kg of Western Sport carries 12.19 MJ of digestible energy and 11.21 MJ of convertible energy. That density counts in summer, when appetite drops in the heat but the work does not. Your horse gets extra fuel in every mouthful, which is kinder to a picky summer appetite.
Who this is for: the horse in a serious summer program that leaves feed in the bucket.
2. Energy-dense without being grain-heavy
This is a low-grain muesli, with starch at 18.30% and sugar at 5.30%. Energy comes from a mix built around 28% alfalfa instead of a bin of grain. That profile supports peak performance while keeping digestion calmer in hot weather.
The benefit: dense fuel with a forage-first design.
3. 28% alfalfa and 14% protein to protect muscle
Summer is when a hard-working horse can lose topline fastest. Western Sport carries 28% alfalfa, 14% crude protein, and digestible crude protein at 107 g/kg, formulated for muscle development. Lysine at 0.58%, methionine plus cysteine at 0.46%, and threonine at 0.53% round out the amino acid profile.
Who this is for: owners watching their horse's topline through a ten-week training block.
4. Electrolyte-relevant minerals in the base mix
The mix provides sodium at 0.36%, magnesium at 0.23%, and calcium at 1.44%. A summer horse sweats every day, so these minerals matter in the base ration, with a dedicated electrolyte added on top for heavy sweating days. It is a solid platform rather than a replacement for electrolyte therapy.
Who this is for: horses hauling and sweating through a hot season.
5. Oat-free, for the horse that runs warm in the heat
The formula contains no oats. Summer already raises the temperature on a fizzy horse, and an oat-free, low-grain profile helps maintain calm, usable energy. You keep the 12.19 MJ/kg fuel level while dropping a common trigger.
The benefit: steady energy when the mercury already does the spiking.
6. Inactivated brewer's yeast for a summer appetite
Inactivated brewer's yeast and 16.7% crude fiber are built into the mix. Heat dulls appetite and can upset the hindgut, and digestive support in the bucket helps keep the horse interested in feed. A horse that keeps eating holds its condition through the program.
Who this is for: the summer horse that goes picky when the barn hits the 90s.
7. Feeding rates that track the training calendar
Per 220 lb (100 kg) of body weight, the guide is 0.55 lb (250 g) per day at light work and 0.88 lb (400 g) at medium work. Summer rarely sits at one work level, so the rate can flex with the calendar. The page gives no heavy-work rate — adjust to condition and training intensity, always with adequate forage.
Who this is for: owners whose week blends easy trail days with hard arena sets.
8. A micronutrient base for a season of stress
Each kg carries 260 mg of vitamin E, biotin at 1,185 µg, and selenium from two sources at 0.25 mg each. Add zinc/copper at 18.8 mg per kg and the base is covered without a stack of separate buckets. One scoop replaces a shelf of tubs for basic coverage.
Who this is for: owners who want the micronutrient math settled once.
9. Support and guarantee behind the bag
Bifid provides a 24/7 licensed vet team, a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee, and a 9.0/10 store rating across 24,098 reviews, with its US operation based in Florida. Feeding a horse hard in summer raises questions, and help is always on call. At $37.99 for 44 lb, switching is no budget event. The full nutrition panel is on the Höveler Western Sport 44 lb bag product page.
Who this is for: owners who want expert backup during the hardest training block of the year.
How to feed it
Daily rate per performance horse feed 220 lb (100 kg) of body weight:
Work levelDaily rate Light work0.55 lb (250 g) Medium work0.88 lb (400 g) Heavy workNot listed on the page — adjust to your horse's condition and training intensity, always with adequate forage. bifid's 24/7 licensed vet team can suggest a starting rate.Key specs at a glance: 14.0% crude protein, 12.19 MJ/kg digestible energy, 6.10% crude fat, 16.7% crude fiber, 18.30% starch, 5.30% sugar, 28% alfalfa, oat-free muesli in a 44 lb bag.
Calculate the summer rate with the Feeding Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How do I feed through a hot summer when my horse's appetite drops?
Energy density helps: Western Sport provides 12.19 MJ of digestible energy per kg, so the horse gets more fuel per mouthful. Start from 0.88 lb (400 g) per 220 lb (100 kg) at medium work and tune to condition. The page gives no heavy-work rate, so adjust with forage always alongside.
Will it keep my horse cool-headed in summer training?
The muesli is oat-free and low-grain, with 18.30% starch https://sites.google.com/view/performance-horse-feed/ and 5.30% sugar. That profile is designed to support steady, usable energy. Individual response differs, so assess your horse over the first weeks of the program.
Does it cover what a sweating horse loses?
The mix contains sodium at 0.36%, magnesium at 0.23%, and calcium at 1.44%, plus 260 mg of vitamin E per kg. For heavy sweating days, put a dedicated electrolyte on top. The 24/7 licensed vet team can guide you on amounts.
Is there enough protein for topline in a hard summer program?
Western Sport carries 14% crude protein, 107 g/kg of digestible crude protein, and 28% alfalfa, formulated for muscle development. Lysine sits at 0.58%. Consistent work plus adequate forage completes the picture.
What if it does not work for my horse?
Bifid offers a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee, and the store rating stands at 9.0/10 across 24,098 reviews. The 44 lb bag costs $37.99, so a trial is low-risk.