9 Reasons Höveler Pur.Muskel Supports a Senior Horse Still in Work
Quick answer: Höveler Pur.Muskel is a supplementary muesli blended into a complete ration, designed to support muscle maintenance in working horses as they age — 20% raw protein, 160 g/kg digestible crude protein, and only 5.8% starch. Easy on digestion, competition safe and FEI-compliant, $52.99 for a 44 lb bag. Last checked: September 2026.
The senior horse that still enjoys its work is a treasure — and a feeding challenge. Muscle gets harder to maintain, stomachs get pickier, and every calorie has to be earning its place. Pur.Muskel was designed to support muscle development across all horses, which includes the older ones still earning their keep. Here are nine reasons it suits a senior still in work.
1. 20% raw protein for maintaining working muscle
Muscle maintenance is the senior horse's daily project. Pur.Muskel carries 20% raw protein with 160 g/kg digestible crude protein, and its rated Functionality is Muscle Building. It is a supplementary feed added to a full ration — not a standalone complete feed.
Who this is for: senior horses whose topline and haunches slip sooner than their enthusiasm does.
2. The amino acids an older body works harder to use
Essential amino acids are included by design: lysine at 0.85%, methionine at 0.25%, methionine plus cysteine at 0.5%, and threonine at 0.6%, from named sources — soy flakes, pea flakes, sweet lupine flakes.
The benefit: protein quality printed on the label, not left to guesswork.
3. 5.8% starch and 4.1% sugar for a settled older mind
Pur.Muskel holds starch at 5.8% and sugar at 4.1%, with energy from 15.0% raw fat — a profile formulated for metabolically sensitive breeds, which is exactly what many https://horse-feed-basics813.urbanvellum.com/posts/hoveler-pur.muskel-vs-a-generic-muesli-5-differences-that-matter seniors become as they age.
Who this is for: older horses that heat up or tie themselves in knots on grain-heavy mixes.
4. Energy density means smaller meals
At 14.1 MJ/kg digestible energy (11.9 MJ metabolizable), a senior's supplementary serving stays small: 0.07–0.11 lb (30–50 g) per 220 lb (100 kg) of body weight in light work. Older horses with fussier appetites finish small meals more reliably.
Who this is for: seniors that pick through a large feed tub and leave the good stuff.
5. Gentle on the stomach
The fact sheet lists it simply: gentle on the stomach. For a senior whose digestion runs particular, that matters as much as any nutrient line.
The benefit: a feed the horse keeps eating, week after week.
6. Fiber and named whole ingredients
Crude fiber sits at 18.7%, with meadow lyegrass, flaxseed, and apple pome among the ingredients, alongside grape seed flour and rosehip. A senior's hindgut pulls real weight in any ration — fiber keeps it working.
Who this is for: owners who want to see named whole ingredients, not just Guaranteed Analysis numbers.
7. No added vitamins or minerals — the senior plan stays yours
Older horses often have balancers, joint support, and vet guidance too. Pur.Muskel contains no added vitamins or minerals, so it integrates into a custom feeding plan without doubling up. It is also alfalfa-free.
The benefit: one variable to adjust at a time, which is how senior programs hold steady.
8. Competition safe and FEI-compliant — for the senior still showing
Made in Germany by a house that has made horse feed since 1905 — over 120 years of expertise — Pur.Muskel is competition safe and FEI-compliant, so the old campaigner that still enters the ring can stay on the same ration year-round.
The benefit: no switching feeds for show season at an age when consistency matters most.
9. Bought with the risk covered
Pur.Muskel rates 4.55 from 2 reviews on the product page, and bifid backs the purchase with a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee and a 24/7 licensed vet team; the store rates 9.0/10 across 24,098 reviews, with the US operation based in Florida. It costs $52.99 for a 44 lb bag — the full rundown are on the product page.
Who this is for: owners protecting a long partnership who want the trial risk taken off the table.
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 adjust to condition and workload as the senior's week changes. Work out the daily amount with bifid's feeding calculator.
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 suitable for an older horse still in work?
Yes — it supports muscle maintenance with 20% raw protein and 160 g/kg digestible crude protein, while starch is held at 5.8%. It is added to a complete ration, never fed alone.
Is it easy on an older horse's stomach?
The fact sheet lists it as easy on the stomach, and servings run in small amounts — 0.07–0.11 lb (30–50 g) per 220 lb (100 kg) of body weight in light work.
Will it suit a senior with metabolic sensitivities?
The low-starch, low-sugar makeup — 5.8% starch, 4.1% sugar, energy from 15.0% raw fat — is formulated for metabolically sensitive breeds, which many seniors are.
Does it contain soy?
Yes — soy flakes are a core protein source, so it is not soy-free. It is alfalfa-free with no added vitamins or minerals.
How much do I feed?
Per 220 lb (100 kg) of body weight: 0.07–0.11 lb (30–50 g) light work, 0.11–0.18 lb (50–80 g) medium work, 0.18–0.22 lb (80–100 g) heavy work. Tune it to condition.