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 villains — they are simply one approach to delivering 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 states its starch at 18.30%. High-starch feeds commonly run well above that. When the number is printed on the label, you can work around it; when it is not, you are feeding on faith.

Who this is for: owners who read feed tags the way riders read a course map.

2. Sugar capped at 5.30%

Sugar is 5.30%. Molasses shows up in the ingredient list, but low on it — there to add sweetness rather than define the mix. Starch and sugar together are the two numbers that capture how hot a feed's energy runs.

The benefit: two stated numbers, both moderate.

3. Energy that does not come from starch alone

Digestible energy is 12.19 MJ/kg, spread across a mix: 16.7% crude fiber, 6.10% crude fat from sunflower and linseed oils, and the measured starch. High-starch feeds concentrate nearly all their energy in the starch bucket. Here the load is spread.

Who this is for: horses that get tight or fizzy 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 leads with grain, because grain is the whole point. Leading with forage changes what kind of athlete the feed is building.

The benefit: a forage-first formula that still delivers 12.19 MJ/kg.

5. Oat-free, by design

Western Sport is oat-free, one of its stated standouts, which suits oat-sensitive horses. Oat-containing and high-starch feeds overlap more often than not. Removing oats takes away one of the classic triggers for feed-related fizziness.

Who this is for: anyone whose horse has been written off as "just a hot one" on a grain-heavy diet.

6. Inactivated brewer's yeast for the hindgut

The formula includes inactivated brewer's yeast, alongside 16.7% crude fiber. Heavy starch feeding is the thing a hindgut has to work hardest against. Moderate starch (18.30%) and the support ingredients point the same way.

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 win on calories 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 is set by condition and training intensity. Portion control is the quiet partner of moderate starch.

The benefit: you control the energy by the ounce.

9. Help on call when you switch

Any move away from a high-starch feed should be gradual. bifid's 24/7 licensed vet team can talk through the transition, and the 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee covers 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 mid-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 forage

Set to condition and training intensity; keep adequate forage in front of the horse. 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 https://sites.google.com/view/soy-free-horse-feed/ described as low-grain and high-energy. High-starch feeds typically 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 while decreasing the old feed, keeping forage steady. The 24/7 licensed vet team can help you 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 full 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 differ.