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 https://sites.google.com/view/competition-horse-feed/ for western horses with grain sensitivity that still need full performance fuel. Last checked: September 2026.

Every bag you have tried has ended the same way — loose manure, a grumpy expression, or a horse that comes unglued ten minutes in. 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 most commonly reactive grain simply is not in this bag. Western Sport is by design oat-free, with 28% alfalfa, barley flakes and corn flakes carrying the ration instead. No sorting, and no oats lurking in the dust.

Who this is for: horses that have never tolerated oat-based mixes.

2. Deliberately low-grain formulation

The feed is listed on the page as a low-grain, high-energy muesli. Starch is held to 18.30% — real energy without the dense 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% of the mix, a forage — not a grain — is the biggest 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 in every kilogram to support a balanced gut environment. For a grain-sensitive horse, that daily gut support is the line between a ration that works and one that backfires.

The benefit: gut support included in, not bolted on at extra cost.

5. Energy still arrives in full — 12.19 MJ per kg

Sensitivity does not mean your horse can work on air. Digestible energy sits at 12.19 MJ/kg, made for medium to intensively trained western horses. This is the rare feed that respects the gut and the job alike.

Who this is for: sensitive horses in serious work that were pigeonholed on safe-but-weak rations.

6. Sugar held to 5.30%

Grain-sensitive horses often struggle with sweet feeds most of all. Sugar sits at 5.30% here, so the ration stays quiet on two fronts — the grain load and the sugar load at once.

The benefit: fewer dietary variables in play.

7. European formulation with 120 years behind it, plus a money-back trial

Höveler has formulated 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 covers the trial, 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 agree with 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 — sensitive guts cope better 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 bring on loose manure, gut discomfort or behavioral changes, often tied to starch reaching 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 environment.

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 specifically avoids soy needs a different feed. Always check the ingredient list against your horse's 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 fuel.

How do I transition a sensitive horse onto it?

Slowly — plan 7–10 days minimum, increasing the new feed in small steps while dividing the daily ration across at least two meals. Forage first. If problems continue, the 24/7 licensed vet team can help review the whole ration.

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.