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 building muscle through the ration. Last checked: September 2026.
A protein percentage doesn't mean much until you can see 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 actually 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 close to a third of the mix is alfalfa, the 14.0% crude protein figure has a whole-ingredient source behind it, not just a fortified additive.
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 goes past the percentage: 107 g of digestible crude protein per kg. That is the number that describes what the horse can really use, and it sits alongside 14.0% crude protein https://sites.google.com/view/performance-horse-feed/ so you can judge the feed on both figures.
The benefit: a protein claim you can check 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. That trio is how a serious ration backs muscle development — they show the 14.0% protein is put together with the key building blocks covered.
Who this is for: horses in medium to intensive training whose topline must keep pace 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. Note what that means in both directions: the feed is not soy-free — the 1.5% soy extraction meal is declared — while it remains oat-free, suiting oat-sensitive horses instead.
The benefit: full 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. Without the energy to spare it, protein gets burned as fuel; this formulation supplies both so the 107 g/kg can be put toward muscle and performance.
Who this is for: western horses whose competition 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 intensityThe page publishes 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 shown on the panel.
Is Western Sport soy-free?
No. The feed contains 1.5% soy extraction meal feed, which is declared 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. Confirm 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 depend on training alongside feeding.
Is it competition-legal?
Yes — competition-safe and FEI-compliant. Verify specific rules with your event organizer.