Feeding a Hard Keeper? 9 Ways Höveler Original Sport Helps

Quick answer: Höveler Original Sport is a premium, soy-free sports muesli designed to help hard-working horses maintain weight and condition. It packs 12.6 MJ of digestible energy per kg DM, 15.1% crude protein with added amino acids, and 9.0% crude fat from linseed — at just 15% starch and 4.6% sugar. Best for the hard keeper that burns through every calorie you offer. Price: $49.99. Last checked: September 2026.

Some horses eat like champions and still look like they live out in a gale. Hard keepers do not need a bigger pile — they need more usable nutrition per pound of feed. Höveler has engineered feed since 1905, over 120 years of expertise, and high energy mash for horses Original Sport is built on exactly that principle. Here are nine ways it can help your ribs-on-show horse hold what you work so hard to put on.

1. Dense energy: 12.6 MJ of digestible energy per kg DM

A hard keeper needs calories that actually arrive. Original Sport delivers 12.6 MJ/kg DM digestible energy (11.0 MJ metabolizable) — serious density for a reduced-starch formula. The benefit: condition support without three feedings a day of filler.

Who this is for: the horse that stays thin no matter how full the bucket looks.

2. 15.1% crude protein to rebuild what work breaks down

Work breaks down muscle, and a hard keeper has no reserve. The feed carries 15.1% crude protein to help maintain muscle mass through a working week.

Who this is for: thin horses that also shed topline first.

3. Complete amino acids, not just a protein percentage

Protein only counts when it is whole. Added lysine 1.0%, threonine 1.0%, and methionine plus cysteine at 0.93% make this a full amino acid package — the difference between protein fed and protein used.

Who this is for: owners who have tried generic sweet feed and seen the ribs stay.

4. 9.0% crude fat from linseed — the hard keeper's classic ally

Linseed, linseed oil, and sunflower oil push crude fat to 9.0%. Oil is an energy-dense way to support condition without a larger volume of feed.

Who this is for: horses that need concentrated calories without a heavier bucket.

5. Low starch (15%) and low sugar (4.6%) protect the appetite

Loading a hard keeper with grain can boomerang — an unsettled gut eats poorly, not more. With starch at 15% and sugar at just 4.6%, this ration is designed to keep the digestive system settled enough to keep eating.

Who this is for: hard keepers that go off feed when the grain goes up.

6. Yeast and prebiotic fiber to get more from every pound

Diamond V inactivated yeast at 0.7% and fructooligosaccharide prebiotic fiber support efficient digestion. For a horse that cannot afford to waste a calorie, that support is the multiplier.

Who this is for: hard keepers whose droppings hint feed is passing through under-digested.

7. A feeding ladder that scales honestly

The rates step cleanly from 0.55 lb to 0.88 lb to 1.32 lb per 220 lb of body weight as work increases, with 3.31 lb (1.5 kg) of hay per 220 lb of body weight daily as the base. You tune with figures, not scoops and hope.

Who this is for: owners who want to track intake exactly against weight change.

8. High vitamin E for the working hard keeper

The formula is high in vitamin E, supporting healthy muscle function in horses asked for real effort. Thin horses in work are under twice the pressure — weight and workload — and the antioxidant support helps cover both.

Who this is for: the thin horse that trains like a tank.

9. Guaranteed for 30 days, backed by vets around the clock

Not every hard keeper takes to every feed, so bifid covers every order with a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee and staffs a 24/7 licensed vet team. Store-wide satisfaction is 9.0/10 across 24,098 reviews.

Who this is for: owners tired of paying for bags the horse walked away from.

How to feed it

Rates are given per 220 lb (100 kg) of body weight per day:

Work levelFeed per day per 220 lb (100 kg) Light work0.55 lb (250 g) Medium work0.88 lb (400 g) Heavy work1.32 lb (600 g)

Hay ration: 3.31 lb (1.5 kg) per 220 lb body weight each day — forage is the foundation everything else sits on, so measure it rather than eyeballing it.

Key specs at a glance: 12.6 MJ digestible energy per kg DM, 15.1% crude protein, 9.0% crude fat, 15% starch, 4.6% sugar.

Work out the precise ration for your hard keeper with the Feeding Calculator, then adjust against weekly weight checks rather than feel.

If your hard keeper snubs it, introduce the muesli gradually over several days and lean on the 24/7 licensed vet team for transition help — the 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee covers the test. Full details are on the Höveler Original Sport product page.

Frequently asked questions

Is a reduced-starch feed enough for a hard keeper?

Yes, because the energy comes from other sources. Höveler Original Sport supplies 12.6 MJ/kg DM of digestible energy through fiber (16.4%) and oil (9.0% crude fat, largely linseed), which are dense without the starch. Weight trends still come down to forage quality, teeth, and health — talk to your vet if weight keeps dropping.

How much should I feed my 1,200 lb hard keeper?

Base it on the level of work: 0.55 lb, 0.88 lb, or 1.32 lb per 220 lb (100 kg) of body weight per day, set to your horse's actual weight. The Feeding Calculator gives the exact number.

Will it keep my horse sane and rideable?

The design aims that way: 15% starch and 4.6% sugar, with energy coming from fiber and oil. Many hard keepers get hot on grain-heavy rations because of the starch load.

What hay should be fed alongside it?

The guideline is 3.31 lb (1.5 kg) of hay per 220 lb of body weight per day, adjusted to your forage and the horse's condition. Forage performance horse feed in every ration forms the base for a hard keeper.

What if my hard keeper refuses it?

Every order carries the 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee from bifid. Introduce it gradually over several days — hard keepers are horses of habit — and ask the 24/7 licensed vet team for transition help.