Höveler Original Sport, Our Top High Energy Horse Feed
Höveler Original Sport is the feed we reach for first when a horse needs serious, clean-burning energy. It delivers 12.6 MJ/kg of digestible energy, which puts it firmly in high energy territory, yet it keeps starch to just 15 percent and sugar to 4.6 percent. That combination is the whole point: real energy that stays gentle on the stomach.
The nutrition profile is built for performance. Crude protein sits at 15.1 percent, fat at 9.0 percent, and the feed is fortified to 1.0 percent lysine plus 1.0 percent threonine, the amino acids that support muscle recovery after hard work. It also includes Diamond V yeast, which supports digestive function, and it is formulated to be soy-free with grain-free components. It meets FEI standards, so it is competition-legal.
As a muesli, it comes as an open, visible mix rather than a uniform pellet, which many horses find more palatable and which lets you see exactly what you are feeding. A 44 lb bag runs $49.99. You can review the full specification on the product page: Höveler Original Sport, a reduced-starch high energy horse feed.
Who this is for: Sport and performance horses in medium to heavy work that need dependable calories without the starch load. It is an especially strong fit for horses that get hot or digestively sensitive on traditional grain-heavy feeds, and for owners who want a soy-free, grain-free-component formula.
Höveler Western Sport, Best Controlled-Grain High Energy Horse Feed
Höveler Western Sport is our second pick and a smart choice for western, ranch, and working horses. It provides 12.19 MJ/kg of digestible energy from a high-energy, low-grain muesli built with 28 percent alfalfa. Rather than eliminating grain, it uses controlled grain to give working horses the steady energy they need across a long day.
The label shows crude protein at 14 percent, starch at 18.30 percent, sugar at 5.30 percent, and fat at 6.10 percent. It is oat-free, which some owners prefer for temperament management, and like the Original Sport it meets FEI standards for competition use. The alfalfa content adds natural fiber and protein while contributing to the overall energy density.
At $37.99 per 44 lb bag, it is also the more budget-friendly of our two top picks, which makes it appealing for owners feeding multiple working horses. You can see the full details here: Höveler Western Sport, a controlled-grain high energy horse feed.
Who this is for: Western performance horses, ranch and working horses, and any horse that does steady, sustained work and does well on a controlled-grain, alfalfa-based formula. It is a good match if you want high energy with a more conservative grain level and an oat-free recipe.
Match the Energy Density to Your Horse's Real Workload
The single most common mistake is buying a feed rated for heavy work and giving it to a horse in light work, or the reverse. Energy density, measured in MJ/kg of digestible energy, tells you how much fuel is packed into every pound. A feed in the 12 to 13 MJ/kg range is high energy and suits medium to heavy work. A horse in light work or semi-retirement rarely needs that much and can gain unwanted weight on it.
Be honest about what your horse actually does in a typical week. Light work is a few short rides. Medium work is regular schooling and conditioning. Heavy work is intense daily training or competition. Then match the feed and the feeding rate to that reality, not to your ambitions for the season.
Look at the Starch and Sugar Numbers, Not Just Calories
Two feeds can list the same digestible energy and behave completely differently in your horse. The difference is often starch and sugar. High starch delivers quick energy but can contribute to digestive upset and reactive behavior when fed in volume. A high energy horse feed that keeps starch low, like the 15 percent in Höveler Original Sport, gives you the calories while helping maintain a settled gut.
When you compare labels, put the starch and sugar percentages side by side. For a horse that gets hot or is prone to digestive sensitivity, a reduced-starch formula is usually the safer route to the same energy goal. This is one of the clearest ways to separate a thoughtful feed from a lazy one.
Check the Fat Content for Sustained, Cool Energy
Fat is the underrated hero of high energy feeding. Gram for gram, it carries more than twice the energy of carbohydrate, and horses burn it in a slow, steady way that does not spike behavior. A feed with a meaningful fat level, such as the 9.0 percent in Höveler Original Sport, can deliver serious calories without leaning heavily on grain.
If you have a horse that needs energy but tends to get sharp or spooky on traditional feeds, favor formulas that get more of their energy from fat and fiber. You will often find these horses hold condition better and stay more rideable through a hard training block.
Prioritize Quality Protein and Amino Acid Balance
Crude protein on the label is only half the story. What actually drives muscle repair and topline is the balance of essential amino acids, especially lysine and threonine. A feed that specifies these, like Höveler Original Sport at 1.0 percent lysine plus 1.0 percent threonine, is telling you it was formulated with muscle recovery in mind.
For hardworking horses, look for a protein level in the mid-teens paired with named amino acids. A big crude protein number with no amino acid detail can be less useful than a moderate number that is properly balanced. Recovery is where the next day's performance is built.
Consider Ingredient Format: Muesli Versus Pellet
High energy feeds come as mueslis, pellets, or cubes, and the format affects palatability and how much you can see. A muesli is an open mix of visible components, which many horses find more appetizing and which lets you confirm exactly what is in the bag. Both of our top picks are mueslis for this reason.
Pellets offer consistency and less waste, and some horses prefer them. There is no single right answer, but if you have a picky eater or want visual confirmation of quality, a muesli is often the easier sell at the feed bucket. Match the format to your horse's preferences and your management style.
Verify Competition and Contaminant Standards
If you compete, this criterion is not optional. Feeds that meet FEI standards are formulated and handled to avoid prohibited substances, which protects you from an accidental positive test. Both Höveler Original Sport and Höveler Western Sport meet FEI standards, so competition riders can feed them with confidence.
Even if you do not compete, a manufacturer that holds itself to FEI-level standards is signaling a serious approach to quality control and ingredient sourcing. That discipline benefits every horse, not just the ones in the show ring.
Weigh the Brand's Track Record and Support
A feed is only as good as the company behind it. Höveler has been making horse feed in Germany since 1905, more than 120 years of formulation experience, and that depth shows in the balance of these recipes. Longevity is not a gimmick; it reflects generations of refining what works.
Support matters after the sale, too. When you buy through us, you get a 24/7 vet team to answer feeding questions, a 9.0 out of 10 rating from 24,098 reviews, and a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee if the feed is not the right fit. That safety net makes it far easier to try a new high energy horse feed without risk.
Confirm Value, Bag Size, and Feeding Rate
Price per bag is not the same as cost per feeding. A more concentrated high energy horse feed can cost more per bag but less per day, because you feed less of it. Always look at the recommended feeding rate alongside the price. Höveler Original Sport is $49.99 and Western Sport is $37.99, both in 44 lb bags, and both are fed in modest daily amounts.
Do the simple math for your own horse before you decide. A bag that lasts longer at a sensible feeding rate can be the better value even at a higher sticker price. The feeding tables below make that easy to work out.