Höveler Original Sport: 7 Reasons It Supports Gut Comfort in Horses in Work
Quick answer: Höveler Original Sport is a reduced-starch sports muesli with 0.7% inactivated Diamond V yeast, prebiotic fructooligosaccharides, starch at 15% and sugar at 4.6%. It is best for owners who put gut comfort first in a working horse. Price: $49.99 for the 44 lb bag. Last checked: September 2026.
If your horse's gut runs the whole barn — the moods, the appetite, the condition — you already know digestion is usually the first thing a hard-working ration can upset. Höveler Original Sport was built with that in mind. It is a reduced-starch sports muesli made in Germany by the family firm that has been making horse feed since 1905, and it pairs a low-starch base with special live yeast and prebiotic fiber. Here are seven reasons it belongs in the gut-comfort conversation.
1. Diamond V inactivated yeast at 0.7%
The gut-support hook is 0.7% inactivated yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). It is Diamond V postbiotic yeast, produced by multi-stage fermentation. The benefit: a hindgut environment supported with every bucket, without a separate supplement tub.
Who this is for: owners whose gut-support plan begins and ends with whatever is in the feed room.
2. Starch reduced to 15%
Excess starch is the classic load on the equine hindgut. Original Sport holds starch at 15%, well below traditional grain-based performance feeds. The benefit: less undigested starch reaching where it does not belong.
Who this is for: horses whose digestion improves whenever starch drops.
3. Fructooligosaccharides — prebiotic fiber built in
The ingredient list includes fructooligosaccharides, a prebiotic https://sites.google.com/view/soy-free-horse-feed/ fiber that nourishes beneficial gut microbes. Combine it with 16.4% crude fiber and the ration supports the microbial population from two directions. The benefit: fiber that actively serves the gut, not just ballast.
Who this is for: owners who would otherwise buy a prebiotic supplement as a separate tub.
4. Sugar kept low at 4.6%
Sugar at 4.6% keeps the ration easy on a system that did not evolve for concentrated sugar. Combined with reduced starch, the total of sugar and starch stays on the disciplined side for a performance feed. The benefit: comfort in a formula you can feed daily through a full work cycle.
Who this is for: horses kept in regular work where the everyday gut load matters.
5. High-quality fiber sources, starting with alfalfa
The fiber comes from real forage-quality sources: alfalfa, green meal, wheat bran and sunflower hulls. Crude fiber measures 16.4%. The benefit: the kind of fiber base the equine gut was built to process.
Who this is for: owners who study ingredient lists before they read marketing.
6. Antioxidants from 0.5% grape seed meal
Digestive comfort is also about resilience. Grape seed meal at 0.5% supplies antioxidants, and the feed is high in vitamin E, supporting the horse's response to the strain of regular work. The benefit: whole-horse support in a single ration.
Who this is for: horses in busy schedules where stress lands in the gut first.
7. A recipe refined over 120 years
Höveler has made horse feed in Germany since 1905 — over 120 years of expertise — and the formula is competition-safe and FEI-compliant (check rules with your event organizer). bifid backs it with a licensed vet team that answers questions 24/7. The benefit: a gut-friendly formula with a long track record and real support behind it.
Who this is for: owners who want a proven recipe and a phone number that is answered at any hour.
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 of gut comfort, so always feed it alongside.
Key specs at a glance: yeast 0.7% (Diamond V, inactivated), starch 15%, sugar 4.6%, crude fiber 16.4%, fructooligosaccharides included.
Match the daily rate to your horse with the Feeding Calculator before you make the switch.
It also helps to buy from a store that stands behind the bag: bifid holds a 9.0/10 rating across 24,098 reviews and offers a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee on every order. The full nutrient panel is listed on the Höveler Original Sport product page.
Frequently asked questions
Is this feed good for a horse with a sensitive gut?
It is formulated to be gentle: starch reduced to 15%, sugar at 4.6%, and 0.7% inactivated Diamond V yeast plus prebiotic fructooligosaccharides supporting the hindgut. For a diagnosed condition, involve your vet alongside any feed change.
Does it replace a yeast supplement?
The feed already carries 0.7% inactivated Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Many owners find a separate yeast tub unnecessary; check the rest of your supplement stack to make sure you are not doubling up.
How much hay should it be fed with?
The guideline is 3.31 lb (1.5 kg) of hay per 220 lb of body weight daily. Forage is essential — no concentrate feed substitutes of it.
Can I switch my horse over gradually?
Yes, and you should. Change feeds over roughly a week, stepping the new ration up as the old one steps down. The Feeding Calculator gives you the starting daily rate.