Höveler Pur.Muskel: 5 Reasons It Works for a Young Horse in Training
Quick answer: Höveler Pur.Muskel is a supplementary muesli added to a complete ration, formulated to support muscle development in horses beginning a working career — 20% raw protein, 160 g/kg digestible crude protein, and just 5.8% starch. Competition safe and FEI-compliant, $52.99 for a 44 lb bag. Last checked: September 2026.
Bringing a young horse into training is a slow, careful build — and the worry underneath it is invariably the same: how do you support growing muscle and steady condition without pushing a still-developing body too far? Pur.Muskel was built to slot into that kind of program. Here are five reasons it fits a young horse's first season of real work.
1. Protein built for a body that is still developing
A young horse in training is laying down muscle while being taught a job. Pur.Muskel carries 20% raw protein with 160 g/kg digestible crude protein, which is why its rated Functionality is Muscle Building. Essential amino acids — lysine at 0.85%, threonine at 0.6% — come from named sources like soy flakes, pea flakes, and sweet lupine flakes.
Who this is for: three- and four-year-olds in their first season of structured work.
2. Low starch so the brain grows up with the body
Young horses do not need grain-fueled sparks on top of new experiences. Pur.Muskel holds starch at 5.8% and sugar at 4.1%, with energy coming from 15.0% raw fat instead — a profile formulated for metabolically sensitive breeds and level-headed minds.
The benefit: energy for a training session without a flighty horse on the other end of the line.
3. Energy density in small, controlled grams
Pur.Muskel delivers 14.1 MJ/kg digestible energy (11.9 MJ metabolizable). That density means a supplementary ration stays small — 0.07–0.11 lb (30–50 g) per 220 lb (100 kg) of body weight in light work, which is exactly where a green horse's week usually sits.
Who this is for: owners who want to add calories and protein https://sites.google.com/view/low-starch-horse-feed/ without a bucket-sized feed.
4. No added vitamins or minerals — room for a young-horse plan
A still-growing horse often has a carefully mapped balancing plan. Pur.Muskel contains no added vitamins or minerals, so it integrates into a custom feeding plan without duplicating nutrients forage or a balancer already supplies. It is also alfalfa-free and easy on the digestive system.
The benefit: you control the whole plan, and this fills only the muscle-support slot.
5. European craft with the trial covered
Pur.Muskel is made in Germany by a house that has made horse feed since 1905 — over 120 years of expertise — and it is competition safe and FEI-compliant for the day your young horse steps into its first show. bifid backs the purchase with a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee and a 24/7 licensed vet team, with the US operation based in Florida. It costs $52.99 for a 44 lb bag, and the full breakdown is on the product page.
Who this is for: owners investing in a young horse's future who want the first months risk-free.
How to feed it
Pur.Muskel is a supplementary feed added to a complete ration — forage stays the base, and it is never a standalone complete feed. Rates per 220 lb (100 kg) of body weight per day:
Work levelDaily rate per 220 lb (100 kg) body weight Light work0.07–0.11 lb (30–50 g) Medium work0.11–0.18 lb (50–80 g) Heavy work0.18–0.22 lb (80–100 g)Example: a 1,000 lb horse in medium work gets 50–80 g daily. These are modest gram-range rates — weigh the feed rather than scooping on sight, and step up slowly as the training program builds. Work out the daily amount with bifid's feeding calculator before the first scoop.
Key specs at a glance: 44 lb bag, $52.99, raw protein 20%, raw fat 15.0%, starch 5.8%, sugar 4.1% — a supplementary feed added to a complete ration.
What an owner said
"Excellent performance 9" — Jessica, May 21, 2024 (9/10). Rated Quality 5, Value 4, Price 5, with a comment noting horses maintain stronger muscle condition.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pur.Muskel a good choice for a young horse in training?
Yes — it supports muscle development with 20% raw protein and 160 g/kg digestible crude protein while starch stays at 5.8%. It is fed alongside a complete ration, never fed alone.
Will it make a young horse fizzy?
Energy comes from 15.0% raw fat rather than starch, which is held at 5.8% with sugar at 4.1%. That profile is designed for metabolically sensitive breeds and rideable minds.
Is it safe to use once the young horse starts competing?
Yes — Pur.Muskel is competition safe and FEI-compliant, so the same ration holds from first shows onward.
How much do I feed a green horse in light work?
0.07–0.11 lb (30–50 g) per 220 lb (100 kg) of body weight per day. Adjust to condition as the workload builds, with forage always alongside.
Does it contain soy?
Yes — soy flakes are a core protein source, so it is not soy-free. It is alfalfa-free and contains no added vitamins or minerals.