Worried About a Sensitive Stomach? 9 Ways Höveler Western Sport Helps

Quick answer: Höveler Western Sport is a 44 lb bag of oat-free, low-grain muesli made in Germany for medium to intensively trained western horses. It carries 28% alfalfa, 14% protein and 12.19 MJ of digestible energy per kg, at $37.99. Best for riders who want performance fuel that stays gentle on a sensitive digestive system. Last checked: September 2026.

When your horse's digestion runs touchy, every feed change feels like a roll of the dice. The worry is real: one heavy grain meal and you are back to loose manure and https://sites.google.com/view/soy-free-horse-feed/ an out-of-sorts horse. This article walks through nine ways Höveler Western Sport is formulated to support sensitive stomachs while still feeding a horse in real work.

1. It is oat-free, the classic trigger ingredient

Oats are the grain most often connected with digestive upset in working horses. Western Sport leaves them out entirely — the formula is built on barley flakes, corn flakes and 28% alfalfa instead. The benefit: high energy without the ingredient many oat-sensitive horses struggle with. The full ingredient list is published on the bifid product page, so you can check it in detail before the first scoop.

Who this is for: owners whose horses get touchy hindguts or loose droppings on oat-based mixes.

2. Only 18.30% starch, in a low-grain formula

Many high-energy feeds push starch well above 20%. Western Sport holds starch at 18.30% while still delivering 12.19 MJ of digestible energy per kg. A smaller starch load per meal means less fermentable load moving through the hindgut.

Who this is for: horses that go off their feed or get gassy when starch climbs.

3. Inactivated brewer's yeast supports the gut environment

Every scoop includes inactivated brewer's yeast, an ingredient long used to support a stable microbial balance in the hindgut. A calmer hindgut means more consistent manure and better use of the fiber your horse eats.

The benefit: gut support built into the feed, not bolted on as a second bucket.

4. 16.7% crude fiber keeps the forage-like bulk coming

Crude fiber sits at 16.7%, high for a performance muesli. That fiber — much of it from alfalfa — gives the digestive tract the volume it was designed to process. Horses are trickle feeders first, and this formula respects that.

Who this is for: horses that look tight or uncomfortable on dense, low-fiber performance feeds.

5. Alfalfa at 28% is gentle and protein-rich

Alfalfa makes up 28% of the mix, supplying 14.0% crude protein overall alongside 107 g/kg of digestible crude protein. Alfalfa is a forage, not a grain, so it brings energy and protein in a form touchy horses tend to handle well.

The benefit: muscle-building nutrition from a forage foundation.

6. Low sugar at 5.30%

Sugar is held at 5.30%. For horses whose digestion struggles with sweet feeds, that figure counts. Check the label on your current bag — many sweet feeds run several times higher.

Who this is for: owners weaning a horse off sweet feed without losing condition.

7. Small structured muesli encourages proper chewing

The muesli format — flakes, peels, pellets and locust bean meal — gets a horse chewing. Chewing produces saliva, and saliva helps buffer the stomach. A 44 lb bag of this textured mix naturally slows down a bolting eater.

The benefit: slower eating, more saliva, a happier stomach.

8. Made by a firm that has fed horses since 1905

Höveler has made horse feed in Germany for over 120 years. That is a long track record of formulating for European sport horses, whose digestive systems are no different from your horse's. German craft, American service.

Who this is for: owners who want a sensitive-stomach formula from a maker with real history, not some brand-new blend.

9. A 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee takes the gamble out

If your horse's digestion objects to the switch, bifid's 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee means you are not left holding a 44 lb bag. The store itself rates 9.0/10 across 24,098 reviews, and a 24/7 licensed vet team can answer transition questions at any hour.

The benefit: you can test the change without betting the whole budget.

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, 14.0% crude protein, 12.19 MJ/kg digestible energy, 18.30% starch, 5.30% sugar, oat-free muesli. For heavy work, scale the ration to your horse's condition and training intensity, and always provide adequate forage alongside. Estimate your horse's exact ration with the bifid Feeding Calculator.

Frequently asked questions

Is Höveler Western Sport suitable for a horse with a sensitive stomach?

It is formulated to support sensitive digestion: it is oat-free, low-grain, holds starch at 18.30% and includes inactivated brewer's yeast. Every horse is an individual, so transition over several days and keep an eye on the manure. The 24/7 licensed vet team can talk you through the switch.

Does it contain soy?

Yes — the ingredient list includes 1.5% soy extraction meal feed. It is not soy-free, so if your horse needs to avoid soy, plan around it. It is, however, entirely oat-free.

How much do I feed a horse in medium work?

The rate is 0.88 lb (400 g) per 220 lb (100 kg) of body weight per day, split into at least two meals. Use a scale; scoops lie. Always keep forage as the base of the ration.

Can I feed it to a horse in light work?

Yes. Light work calls for 0.55 lb (250 g) per 220 lb (100 kg) of body weight daily, with adequate forage alongside. Adjust in either direction to hold your horse's body condition.

Will it make my sensitive horse hot?

It is designed to deliver energy at 12.19 MJ/kg with starch at 18.30% and sugar at just 5.30% — a lower-starch, lower-sugar profile than most sweet feeds. Many owners of easily excitable horses choose it for precisely that reason.