5 Reasons Höveler Original Sport Works for a Thoroughbred in Work

Quick answer: Höveler Original Sport is a premium, soy-free reduced-starch sports muesli formulated for horses in regular work. For a thoroughbred it offers 12.6 MJ/kg DM digestible energy, lysine 1.0% and threonine 1.0% for muscle, high vitamin E, and a steady 4.6% sugar / 15% starch profile. It costs $49.99. Last checked: September 2026.

Thoroughbred owners live a two-sided problem: the breed is a fiery athlete that often runs lean, so the feed must deliver condition and energy without lighting the fuse. Get it wrong in either direction and you notice it within days — flat and ribby, or fit and unrideable. Höveler, a German feed maker since 1905 with over 120 years of expertise, designed Original Sport to keep that middle line. Here are five reasons it suits the breed.

1. Dense energy at 9.0% crude fat for the lean athlete

Thoroughbreds often need more calories than they want to eat, and linseed oil and sunflower oil lift crude fat to 9.0% — concentrated energy per scoop without extra grain bulk.

The benefit: https://sites.google.com/view/hoveler-horse-feed/ condition support for a horse that burns hot and eats picky.

Who this is for: lean thoroughbreds in work that find it hard to hold weight on basic rations.

2. Full output: 12.6 MJ/kg DM digestible energy

Less starch does not cut the engine down. Digestible energy is 12.6 MJ/kg DM (11.0 MJ/kg DM metabolizable), supporting a horse in heavy work at 1.32 lb (600 g) per 220 lb (100 kg) body weight daily.

Who this is for: thoroughbreds in hard training that need full fuel delivery.

3. 15% starch and 4.6% sugar to keep the head in the game

The breed's reputation for sensitivity is earned, and this profile is made for it: starch capped at 15%, sugar at 4.6%, with energy carried by 16.4% crude fiber instead.

The benefit: performance nutrition in a form designed to support a rideable, focused thoroughbred.

Who this is for: hot horses that become unmanageable on traditional sweet feeds.

4. Muscle and recovery support for the athlete's body

Lysine 1.0%, threonine 1.0%, and methionine+cysteine 0.93% support muscle function on 15.1% crude protein, while high vitamin E and grape seed meal at 0.5% add antioxidant support.

Who this is for: thoroughbreds whose programs demand topline and quick bounce-back from session to session.

5. Gut comfort and competition compliance built in

The 0.7% Diamond V inactivated yeast and fructooligosaccharide fiber support digestive comfort — valuable in a breed whose gut shows stress first. Original Sport is also competition-safe and FEI-compliant (confirm rules with your event organizer), soy-free, and made in Germany.

Who this is for: owners of competition thoroughbreds who need the feed and the backing to get to the start.

How to feed it

Rates are per 220 lb (100 kg) of body weight per day, with forage always alongside. Adjust for your horse's body weight and training intensity:

Work levelFeed per dayHay per day Light work0.55 lb (250 g)3.31 lb (1.5 kg) per 220 lb body weight Medium work0.88 lb (400 g)3.31 lb (1.5 kg) per 220 lb body weight Heavy work1.32 lb (600 g)3.31 lb (1.5 kg) per 220 lb body weight

Key specs at a glance: 9.0% crude fat, 12.6 MJ/kg DM digestible energy, 15% starch, 4.6% sugar, 16.4% crude fiber, lysine 1.0%.

Work out exact amounts with the Feeding Calculator, and keep the full hay ration in place while you tune the concentrate.

Orders carry a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee with a 24/7 licensed vet team on hand, bifid is rated 9.0/10 across 24,098 reviews, and the current bag and full analysis are on the Höveler Original Sport product page.

Frequently asked questions

Can a reduced-starch feed fuel a thoroughbred in hard work?

Yes — the feed delivers 12.6 MJ/kg DM of digestible energy, carried by 16.4% crude fiber and 9.0% crude fat from linseed and sunflower oil. The fuel is complete; the supply is calmer than grain starch.

Will it help my lean thoroughbred hold condition?

Crude fat at 9.0% provides concentrated calories in every scoop, and carrots at 0.5% support palatability for the fussy eater. Condition depends on the whole ration, so keep the full hay ration of 3.31 lb (1.5 kg) per 220 lb body weight in place and monitor weekly.

My thoroughbred gets hot on regular feed. What about this one?

Starch is held at 15% and sugar at 4.6%, with energy from fiber and oil in place of heavy grain — a profile designed to support rideable behavior. Introduce gradually and assess your own horse.

Is it competition-safe?

Original Sport is competition-safe and FEI-compliant — verify rules with your event organizer. The 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee protects the trial period.