Höveler Western Sport: 5 Amino Acid Numbers Every Working-Horse Owner Should Check

Quick answer: Höveler Western Sport is a low-grain, high-energy muesli for medium to intensively trained western horses, with lysine at 0.58%, threonine at 0.53%, and methionine+cysteine at 0.46% inside 107 g/kg digestible crude protein. It costs $37.99 for a 44 lb bag, is oat-free, and is made in Germany. Best for owners building topline and muscle through the ration. Last checked: https://sites.google.com/view/performance-horse-feed/ September 2026.

Most owners read the protein percentage and quit there. The amino acid lines underneath are where a working-horse feed proves itself — and Western Sport lists all three. Here are five things those numbers show you.

1. Lysine is declared at 0.58%

Lysine is the amino acid most often lacking in horse rations, and Western Sport states it plainly: 0.58%. Paired with 14.0% crude protein and 107 g/kg digestible crude protein, that figure is the foundation of the feed's support for muscle development — the reason 28% alfalfa sits in the formula.

Who this is for: owners pursuing topline on a horse in medium to intensive training.

2. Threonine reads at 0.53%

The second declared limit is threonine at 0.53%. Alongside lysine, threonine is a benchmark of a well-formulated performance feed. A panel that shows both numbers, rather than a vague "amino acid fortified" claim, lets you compare feeds on facts.

The benefit: you can compare Western Sport against any other bag on a line-by-line basis.

3. Methionine+cysteine reads at 0.46%

The sulfur amino acids come in at 0.46%. Alongside 107 g/kg of digestible crude protein, the trio — 0.58% lysine, 0.53% threonine, 0.46% methionine+cysteine — paints a protein package built for horses turning performance horse feed feed into work and muscle, not just maintenance.

Who this is for: performance horses whose muscle demands outpace a maintenance ration.

4. The protein arrives from named sources

Digestible crude protein of 107 g/kg is fed by 28% alfalfa, 3.5% pea flakes, and 1.5% soy extraction meal feed — all of it inside the ingredient list on the Höveler Western Sport 44 lb bag. The feed is not soy-free — the 1.5% soy extraction meal is declared — but it remains oat-free, with starch at 18.30% and sugar at just 5.30%.

The benefit: amino acids delivered by whole feedstuffs, with the sources printed for inspection.

5. The whole panel is built to feed performance

The amino acids never sit alone. The same kg of Western Sport carries 12.19 MJ digestible energy, 6.10% crude fat, and additives including Vitamin E 260 mg and biotin 1,185 µg. Höveler has made horse feed since 1905 — over 120 years of expertise — and the formulation is competition-safe and FEI-compliant.

Who this is for: competitors who need one bucket to deliver protein, energy, and micronutrition legally.

How to feed it

Feeding rates per 220 lb (100 kg) of body weight per day:

Work levelDaily rate Light work0.55 lb (250 g) Medium work0.88 lb (400 g) Heavy workNot listed — adjust to condition and training intensity

No heavy-work figure is given; adjust the rate to your horse's condition and training intensity, and always provide adequate forage.

Key specs at a glance: lysine 0.58%, threonine 0.53%, methionine+cysteine 0.46%, 107 g/kg digestible crude protein, 14.0% protein, 12.19 MJ/kg digestible energy.

To calculate your horse's daily amino acid intake, use the feeding calculator.

Frequently asked questions

Why do amino acids matter more than the protein percentage?

Because the percentage counts total protein while lysine, threonine, and methionine+cysteine decide how usable it is. Western Sport prints both: 14.0% protein and 107 g/kg digestible crude protein with the three key values stated.

Does this feed contain soy?

Yes — 1.5% soy extraction meal feed is in the ingredient list. It is not soy-free. It is, however, oat-free, which suits oat-sensitive horses.

How much lysine does a 1,100 lb horse in medium work get?

At 0.88 lb (400 g) per 220 lb (100 kg), a 1,100 lb horse eats about 4.4 lb daily, so the lysine supplied follows 0.58% of that ration. Run exact amounts through the feeding calculator.

Can I feed it to a young horse in training?

It is formulated for medium to intensively trained western horses. For a growing animal's precise needs, check with the 24/7 licensed vet team or your veterinarian before you commit.

Is it competition-legal?

Yes — competition-safe and FEI-compliant. Verify specific rules with your event organizer before show day.