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 athletes and still look like they train in a wind tunnel. Hard keepers do not need more feed — they need more usable nutrition per pound of feed. Höveler has engineered feed since 1905, over 120 years of expertise, and Original Sport is built on exactly that principle. Here are nine ways it can help your ribs-on-show horse keep 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) — real density for a reduced-starch formula. The benefit: condition support without a third feeding of filler.
Who this is for: the horse that keeps staying thin no matter how full the bucket looks.
2. 15.1% crude protein to rebuild what work breaks down
Work catabolizes muscle, and a hard keeper has no reserve. The feed carries 15.1% crude protein to help hold muscle mass through a working week.
Who this is for: thin horses that also lose topline first.
3. Complete amino acids, not just a protein percentage
Protein only counts when it is complete. Added lysine 1.0%, threonine 1.0%, and methionine plus cysteine at 0.93% make this a full amino acid package — the gap 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 dense way to support weight gain without a bigger 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
Stuffing a hard keeper with grain can backfire — an unsettled gut eats less, 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 increases.
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 lose a calorie, that support is the multiplier effect.
Who this is for: hard keepers whose droppings hint feed is passing through half-digested.
7. A feeding ladder that scales honestly
The rates climb cleanly from 0.55 lb to 0.88 lb to 1.32 high energy sport horse feed lb per 220 lb of body weight as work builds, with 3.31 lb (1.5 kg) of hay per 220 lb of body weight each day as the base. You tune with figures, not scoops and hope.
Who this is for: owners who want to monitor intake exactly against weight change.
8. High vitamin E for the working hard keeper
The formula is high in vitamin E, supporting normal muscle function in horses giving 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 skinny horse that works like a tank.
9. Guaranteed for 30 days, backed by vets around the clock
Not every hard keeper loves every feed, so bifid covers each 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 done with paying for bags the horse ignored.
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 base 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, performance horse feed 9.0% crude fat, 15% starch, 4.6% sugar.
Calculate 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 depend on forage quality, teeth, and health — talk to your vet if weight keeps falling.
How much should I feed my 1,200 lb hard keeper?
Base it on the work level: 0.55 lb, 0.88 lb, or 1.32 lb per 220 lb (100 kg) of body weight per day, scaled to your horse's actual weight. The Feeding Calculator gives the precise number.
Will it keep my horse sane and rideable?
The design points that way: 15% starch and 4.6% sugar, with energy arriving 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 daily, tuned to your forage and the horse's condition. Forage always 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 a transition plan.