Got a Hot or Fizzy Horse? 7 Ways Höveler Pur.Muskel Supports Calm Work

Quick answer: Höveler Pur.Muskel is a supplementary muesli that backs muscle development with clean energy for horses that run hot — 5.8% starch and 4.1% sugar, with 15.0% raw fat carrying 14.1 MJ/kg of digestible energy. It is added to a complete ration, never fed alone. $52.99 for a 44 lb bag. Last checked: September 2026.

You swing a leg over and the horse is already ten steps ahead of you. Nine times out of ten the culprit in the bucket is starch — quick fuel that lands all at once and burns hot. The answer is not fewer calories; it is different calories. Pur.Muskel delivers energy and protein without a starch load. Seven ways it can help.

1. Starch held to just 5.8%

Most grain-based concentrates run double-digit starch. Pur.Muskel lists 5.8%, which is why its energy is described as clean instead of fizzy.

Who this is for: horses that get a shot of nervous energy an hour after breakfast.

2. Sugar at 4.1% — no sugar rush in the bucket

Alongside low starch, sugar holds at 4.1%. For a hot horse, the pair matters: reduced quick-release carbohydrates means fewer reasons to blow up at the first canter transition.

The benefit: forward energy you can steer.

3. Fat does the work: 15.0% raw fat

Pur.Muskel provides 15.0% raw fat from linseed oil, sunflower seed, and flaxseed, delivering 14.1 MJ/kg of digestible energy. Fat releases energy slowly and evenly — the temperament profile most hot horses thrive on.

Who this is for: horses that want calories for work but not excitement.

4. 20% raw protein to build, not buzz

The mix carries 20% raw protein with 160 g/kg digestible crude protein and 0.85% lysine — nutrients that build muscle instead of fuel for fireworks. Its stated Functionality is Muscle Building.

The benefit: a stronger topline free of a hotter brain.

5. Small daily amounts, easy to dial back

As a supplementary feed, Pur.Muskel is dosed in grams: 0.07–0.11 lb (30–50 g) per 220 lb (100 kg) of body weight in light work, rising to 0.18–0.22 lb (80–100 g) in heavy work. If the horse is a little too forward before a show, the rate is easy to adjust.

Who this is for: owners who want fine control over the ration, not a fixed scoop.

6. Metabolically sensitive breeds in mind

The fact sheet points out Pur.Muskel especially suits metabolically sensitive breeds — the same horses that often boil over on starch. Magnesium at 0.8% is built into the formulation.

The benefit: a feed made for horses that notice everything.

7. Competition safe and FEI-compliant

Hot horses need the same ration at home and at the venue. Pur.Muskel is competition safe and FEI-compliant, made by Höveler in Germany — horse feed since 1905, over 120 years of expertise. Bifid's 24/7 licensed vet team can help tune the plan, and a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee covers the trial.

Who this is for: competition horses that need calm focus on show day.

How to feed it

Pur.Muskel is a supplementary feed mixed into a complete ration — never a standalone complete feed. Rates per 220 lb (100 kg) of https://horse-feed-storage493.publishlane.com/posts/hoveler-pur.muskel-9-reasons-it-fits-competition-season body weight per day:

Work levelDaily rate per 220 lb (100 kg) body weight Light work0.07–0.11 lb (30–50 g) Medium work0.11–0.18 lb (50–80 g) Heavy work0.18–0.22 lb (80–100 g)

Example: a 1,000 lb horse in medium work gets 50–80 g daily. Adjust to condition and training intensity, and keep forage alongside throughout.

Key specs at a glance: 44 lb bag, $52.99, raw protein 20%, starch 5.8%, sugar 4.1%, raw fat 15.0%, digestible energy 14.1 MJ/kg — a supplementary feed added to a complete ration. The full label is on the Höveler Pur.Muskel 44 lb bag page.

Set your horse's exact rate with the feeding calculator.

What an owner said

"Excellent performance 9" — Jessica, May 21, 2024 (9/10). Her comment notes the horses maintain stronger muscle condition.

Frequently asked questions

Will a low-starch feed leave my hot horse with no energy?

No — Pur.Muskel delivers 14.1 MJ/kg of digestible energy, but the bulk of it comes from 15.0% raw fat rather than the 5.8% starch. The energy is even rather than spiky.

How much should I feed?

0.11–0.18 lb (50–80 g) per 220 lb (100 kg) of body weight in medium work. That is a small gram range, so adjustments are easy to make in small steps.

Is it allowed at competitions?

Yes. Pur.Muskel is competition safe and FEI-compliant, so show-day rations require no special planning.

Does it contain soy?

Yes — soy flakes are one of its protein sources, alongside pea flakes and sweet lupine flakes. It is not soy-free. It is alfalfa-free, with no added vitamins or minerals.