Grain Sensitivity Making Feeding a Minefield? 7 Ways Höveler Western Sport Supports a Quieter Ration
Quick answer: Höveler Western Sport is a 44 lb bag of oat-free, low-grain German muesli with starch at 18.30%, sugar at 5.30% and 28% alfalfa, delivering 12.19 MJ/kg digestible energy at $37.99. Best for western horses with grain sensitivity that still need complete performance fuel. Last checked: September 2026.
Every bag you have tried has ended the same way — loose manure, a sour expression, or a horse that goes sideways ten minutes into the ride. Grain sensitivity cuts your options down fast, especially when the horse still has a job to do. Here are seven ways this formula handles the grain problem.
1. Entirely oat-free
The grain horses most often react to simply is not in the bag. Western Sport is deliberately oat-free, with 28% alfalfa, barley flakes and corn flakes carrying the ration instead. No sorting, and no oats hidden in the dust.
Who this is for: horses that have never tolerated oat-based mixes.
2. Deliberately low-grain formulation
The feed is described on the page as a low-grain, high-energy muesli. Starch is held to 18.30% — respectable energy without the concentrated grain load that upsets sensitive hindguts.
The benefit: a working ration the gut can handle in peace.
3. Alfalfa as the backbone, not grain
With alfalfa at 28% https://high-performance-horse-feed-snom628.northstarcolumn.com/posts/choosing-a-western-horse-feed-7-boxes-hoveler-western-sport-ticks of the mix, a forage — not a grain — is the largest single ingredient. Forage-based feeding is the standard first move for grain-sensitive horses, and this formula builds it into the bag alongside 14.0% crude protein. The complete ingredient list is on the bifid product page.
Who this is for: owners told to "feed more forage" who still need a working concentrate.
4. Inactivated brewer's yeast supports hindgut stability
Inactivated brewer's yeast is included in every kilogram to support a balanced gut environment. For a grain-sensitive horse, that everyday gut support is the difference between a ration that works and one that backfires.
The benefit: gut support included in, not supplemented on the side.
5. Energy still arrives in full — 12.19 MJ per kg
Sensitivity does not mean your horse can train on air. Digestible energy sits at 12.19 MJ/kg, formulated for medium to intensively trained western horses. This is the uncommon feed that respects both the gut and the job.
Who this is for: sensitive horses in real work that were stuck on "safe but weak" rations.
6. Sugar held to 5.30%
Grain-sensitive horses often react to sweet feeds worst of all. Sugar sits at 5.30% here, so the ration stays calm on two fronts — grain load and sugar load together.
The benefit: fewer dietary variables in play.
7. European formulation with 120 years behind it, plus a money-back trial
Höveler has made German horse feed since 1905 — over 120 years, made in Germany — with American service from bifid. The 44 lb bag costs $37.99, the 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee has the trial covered, and the store rates 9.0/10 across 24,098 reviews.
Who this is for: owners who have wasted enough money on bags that did not suit their horse.
How to feed it
Rates are given per 220 lb (100 kg) of body weight per day:
Work levelDaily rate per 220 lb (100 kg) body weight Light work0.55 lb (250 g) Medium work0.88 lb (400 g) Heavy workNot listed — the page gives no heavy-work rate; adjust to condition and training intensity, with adequate forage always provided.Key specs at a glance: 44 lb bag, $37.99, 18.30% starch, 5.30% sugar, 14.0% protein, 28% alfalfa, oat-free muesli. For heavy work, adjust the amount to your horse's condition and training intensity and always provide plenty of forage. Take small steps and split meals — sensitivity improves when no single meal is large. Calculate the ration at the bifid Feeding Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is grain sensitivity in horses?
It is the common pattern where grain-heavy rations produce loose manure, gut discomfort or behavioral changes, often tied to starch load hitting the hindgut. This formula responds by cutting grain at the source — oat-free, low-grain, starch at 18.30% — while inactivated brewer's yeast supports the gut.
Is it soy-free?
No — the ingredient list includes 1.5% soy extraction meal feed. It is oat-free and low-grain, but any horse that must avoid soy needs a different option. Always read the full ingredient list against your horse's known triggers.
Can a grain-sensitive horse get enough energy from it?
Yes. It delivers 12.19 MJ/kg of digestible energy with 6.10% crude fat and 28% alfalfa, formulated for medium to intensively trained western horses. The energy comes with less grain, not less energy.
How do I transition a sensitive horse onto it?
Slowly — plan 7–10 days minimum, raising the new feed in small steps while splitting the daily ration into at least two meals. Feed forage first. If problems persist, the 24/7 licensed vet team can look over the whole ration with you.
Does it contain oats or molasses-heavy sweetness?
It contains zero oats, and sugar sits at 5.30%: molasses appears in the ingredient list, yet the finished feed measures well below sweet-feed sugar levels.