Höveler Western Sport vs a High-Starch Feed: 9 Differences Your Horse Will Feel
Quick answer: Höveler Western Sport states its starch at 18.30% and sugar at 5.30%, getting its 12.19 MJ/kg digestible energy from a 28% alfalfa base with 16.7% fiber and 6.10% fat. It is a high-energy, low-grain muesli at $37.99 for 44 lb. Last checked: September 2026.
High-starch feeds are not the enemy — they are simply one way to deliver energy, and a blunt instrument. Western Sport takes the measured route. Here are nine differences between the two ways of doing it.
1. Starch stated at 18.30%, not avoided as a topic
Western Sport prints its starch at 18.30%. High-starch feeds commonly sit well above that. When the number is printed on the label, you can work around it; when it is not, you are feeding blind.
Who this is for: owners who study feed tags the way riders read a course map.
2. Sugar capped at 5.30%
Sugar is 5.30%. Molasses appears in the ingredient list, but low on it — there to sweeten the mix rather than define it. Starch and sugar together are the two numbers that describe how hot a feed's energy runs.
The benefit: both numbers stated, both moderate.
3. Energy that does not come from starch alone
Digestible energy is 12.19 MJ/kg, drawn from a mix: 16.7% crude fiber, 6.10% crude fat from sunflower and linseed oils, and the starch as measured. High-starch feeds concentrate nearly all their energy in the starch column. Here the load is distributed.
Who this is for: horses that get tight or fizzing on conventional grain energy.
4. 28% alfalfa anchors the formula
The first ingredient is 28% alfalfa, included for muscle development and peak performance. A high-starch feed opens with grain, because grain is the whole point. Leading with forage changes what kind of athlete the feed is building.
The benefit: a forage-led formula that still delivers 12.19 MJ/kg.
5. Oat-free, by design
Western Sport is oat-free, one of its stated standouts, which fits oat-sensitive horses. Oat-containing and high-starch feeds often go hand in hand. Removing oats takes away one of the classic triggers for feed-related heat.
Who this is for: anyone whose horse has been labeled "just a hot one" on a diet heavy on grain.
6. Inactivated brewer's yeast for the hindgut
The formula includes inactivated brewer's yeast, alongside 16.7% crude fiber. Starch-heavy feeding is the thing a hindgut finds hardest to handle. Moderate starch (18.30%) and the support ingredients pull in the same direction.
The benefit: a formula arranged around digestive comfort in a horse in work.
7. Protein aimed at muscle, not just bulk
Crude protein is 14.0% with digestible crude protein at 107 g/kg, from a base that is 28% alfalfa. High-starch feeds tend to take the calorie prize and lose on quality — this profile is built for muscle development and peak performance.
Who this is for: western horses whose jobs are scored on how they are built.
8. Feeding rates that scale, not a fixed scoop
Light work: 0.55 lb (250 g) per 220 lb (100 kg) daily. Medium work: 0.88 lb (400 g). No heavy-work rate is listed, so the amount adjusts to condition and training intensity. Portion control is the quiet partner of moderate starch.
The benefit: you manage the energy by the ounce.
9. Help on call when you switch
Any move away from a high-starch feed should be made gradually. bifid's 24/7 licensed vet team can help plan the transition, and the 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee backs the trial. Höveler has made horse feed since 1905 — over 120 years of expertise, made in Germany. The full picture sit on the Western Sport product page.
Who this is for: owners making the change in the middle of the season who want backup.
How to feed it
Daily amounts per 220 lb (100 kg) body weight:
Work levelDaily rate per 220 lb (100 kg) Light work0.55 lb (250 g) Medium work0.88 lb (400 g) Heavy workNot listed — the page says to adjust to condition and training intensity; always provide adequate forageSet to condition and training intensity; always provide adequate forage. Key specs at a glance: 14.0% crude protein, 6.10% crude fat, 16.7% crude fiber, 18.30% starch, 5.30% sugar, 12.19 MJ/kg digestible energy, 28% alfalfa. Work out a starting rate with bifid's Feeding Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is 18.30% starch low?
For a performance feed delivering 12.19 MJ/kg digestible energy, 18.30% starch is a moderate figure — the formula is explicitly described as low-grain and high-energy. High-starch feeds usually run higher, but compare the printed numbers every time.
Will this calm a hot horse?
Western Sport divides its energy among fiber (16.7%), fat (6.10%), and measured starch (18.30%), with sugar at 5.30%, and is oat-free. Individual temperament comes from many places, but the formula's design gives a hot horse less reason to fizz. Talk persistent behavior issues over with your vet.
Can I switch from a high-starch feed gradually?
Yes — change feeds over 7 to 10 days, increasing Western Sport as you lower the old feed, keeping forage steady. The 24/7 licensed vet team https://horse-feed-brands956.capitaljays.com/posts/grain-sensitivity-making-feeding-a-minefield-7-ways-hoveler-western-sport-supports-a-quieter-ration can help plan it, and the 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee covers the outcome.
What fuels the energy if not starch?
The stated 12.19 MJ/kg digestible energy comes from the complete profile: 28% alfalfa and 16.7% crude fiber, 6.10% crude fat from sunflower and linseed oils, and the 18.30% starch. No single source carries the load.
Is it suitable for competition?
Yes — Western Sport is competition-safe and FEI-compliant. Verify rules with your event organizer, as requirements vary.