7 Reasons Höveler Pur.Muskel Suits the Winter Workload

Quick answer: Höveler Pur.Muskel is a supplementary muesli (pellet mix) formulated to support muscle development, with 20% raw protein, 15.0% raw fat, and just 5.8% starch and 4.1% sugar. It is added to a complete ration — not a standalone feed. A 44 lb bag costs $52.99. Last checked: September 2026.

Winter work is the quiet test of a ration. Shorter days, colder rides, and a horse whose topline quietly softens between November and February make owners wonder whether the feed is pulling its weight. Pur.Muskel is built to be the muscle-support component of a complete plan through exactly those months. Below are 7 reasons it suits the winter workload.

1. 15.0% raw fat for condition in the cold

Cold weather pushes up the energy bill, and fat is the gentlest way to pay it. Pur.Muskel carries 15.0% raw fat alongside 14.1 MJ/kg of digestible energy, formulated to support body and muscle condition through harder winter work. Energy without the starch spike is the point.

Who this is for: owners whose horses drop condition over winter but turn fizzy on starchy feeds.

2. 20% raw protein aimed at winter muscle maintenance

Muscles that are not worked hard continue to need protein to hold their shape. Pur.Muskel delivers 20% raw protein with 160 g/kg of digestible crude protein — the figure that gets absorbed, not just the label figure. It is formulated for muscle building, which is what helps a winter program keep the topline where you left it in fall.

The benefit: protein support designed to help maintain muscle condition when work is inconsistent.

3. Starch at 5.8% and sugar at 4.1%

Winter stables and winter excitement do not mix well. With starch at just 5.8% and sugar at 4.1%, Pur.Muskel is low in both — a profile the fact sheet says suiting metabolically sensitive breeds. The fact sheet also notes the mix is easy on the stomach, which matters when turnout drops and stabling hours stack up.

Who this is for: owners of metabolically sensitive horses on reduced winter turnout.

4. Lysine, methionine, and threonine stated on the label

Winter is when rations silently lose quality — less fresh forage choice, more conserved feed. Pur.Muskel declares its key amino acids: lysine 0.85%, methionine 0.25%, methionine+cysteine 0.5%, and threonine 0.6%. Stated levels let you build a winter plan on real numbers instead of estimates.

The benefit: the amino acid raw materials for muscle, at levels you can really plan around.

5. No added vitamins or minerals — integrate it your way

Pur.Muskel contains no added vitamins or minerals. That is deliberate: as a supplementary feed, it lets you add targeted muscle support to a complete winter ration without stacking micronutrients. Your balancer keeps handling the vitamins; Pur.Muskel handles the protein and energy piece.

Who this is for: owners running a custom feeding plan who want one component to slot in cleanly.

6. Alfalfa-free and easy on the winter gut

The mix is alfalfa-free, and winter is when gut comfort is under the most strain — more hay, less grass, longer hours in the stall. Ingredients include meadow lyegrass, flaxseed, sweet lupine flakes, pea flakes, and linseed oil, with 18.7% crude fiber. The formulation is designed to be gentle on the stomach.

The benefit: a muscle feed that respects the digestive challenges of a confined winter.

7. A winter-bag price of $52.99 with backup behind it

A 44 lb bag is $52.99 on the product page, and because rates are small — a 1,000 lb horse in medium work gets 50–80 g daily — it stretches across weeks. Höveler has made horse feed since 1905, over 120 years of expertise, made in Germany. Through bifid you also get a 24/7 licensed vet team and a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee.

Who this is for: owners who want a known winter cost, with expert help available all season.

How to feed it

Pur.Muskel is a supplementary feed — always mixed into a complete ration, never a standalone feed. Rates are per 220 lb (100 kg) 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)

For example, a 1,000 lb horse in medium work gets 50–80 g daily. These gram ranges are modest, so use a scale rather than scooping it. Forage always stays alongside — and in winter, good hay is doing half the job.

Key specs at a glance: 20% raw protein, 15.0% raw fat, 5.8% starch, 4.1% sugar, 11.9 MJ/kg metabolizable energy, 44 lb bag, $52.99.

To match the rate to your own horse before the cold sets in, work out the exact amount with the feeding calculator.

What an owner said

"Excellent performance 9" — Jessica, May 21, 2024 (Quality 5, Value 4, Price 5). Her comment notes the horses maintain stronger muscle condition on it.

Frequently asked questions

Does Höveler Pur.Muskel replace hard feed in winter?

No. It is a supplementary feed mixed into a complete ration. It supports muscle development; your forage, balancer, and base ration stay in place.

Is it too rich for a horse in light winter work?

The rates come down with the work. Light work is 0.07–0.11 lb (30–50 g) per 220 lb (100 kg) body weight daily, so you can feed a small measured portion and tune it to condition.

Will the 15.0% fat make my horse fizzy?

Fat is a calm energy source, and starch is held at just 5.8% with sugar at 4.1%. The energy profile is built to be level, not sharp.

Does it contain soy?

Yes. Soy flakes appear on the ingredient list together with meadow lyegrass, flaxseed, sweet lupine flakes, and pea flakes. It is alfalfa-free, but it is not soy-free.

What does a 44 lb bag cost?

$52.99 through bifid, backed by https://horse-feed-basics813.urbanvellum.com/posts/buying-from-a-maker-you-can-trust-7-boxes-hoveler-pur.muskel-ticks-for-the-heritage-buyer a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee and a 24/7 licensed vet team.