Struggling to Hold Condition? 9 Ways Höveler Pur.Muskel Helps
Quick answer: Höveler Pur.Muskel is a supplementary muesli that supports holding condition for horses that look great one week and ribby the next — https://horse-feed-basics379.urbanvellum.com/posts/fussy-eater-leaving-feed-in-the-bucket-5-ways-hoveler-pur.muskel-helps-2 20% raw protein with 160 g/kg digestible crude protein, 15.0% raw fat, and 14.1 MJ/kg of digestible energy at just 5.8% starch. Added to a complete ration. $52.99 for a 44 lb bag. Last checked: September 2026.
One week the horse seems filled out; the next, ribs showing and a topline on the dip. Holding condition is a ration problem more than a riding problem — the calories and raw materials have to arrive every day, in a form the horse can use. Pur.Muskel was designed to fit that brief. Nine ways it can help.
1. 20% raw protein — the raw material for condition
Muscle is condition, and muscle is protein. Pur.Muskel carries 20% raw protein, which is why its stated Functionality is Muscle Building.
Who this is for: horses whose toplines start to soften as the season goes on.
2. 160 g/kg digestible crude protein the body can use
Label protein is not the same as usable protein. Pur.Muskel declares 160 g/kg digestible crude protein, so the raw materials actually arrive where they are needed.
The benefit: condition that shows instead of a number on a bag.
3. Amino acids named, not hinted
The mix supplies lysine at 0.85%, threonine at 0.6%, methionine at 0.25%, and methionine+cysteine at 0.5%. These essential amino acids are supplied by soy flakes, pea flakes, and sweet lupine flakes on the ingredient panel. (Pur.Muskel contains soy and is not soy-free; it is alfalfa-free.)
Who this is for: owners who read the analysis panel ahead of the marketing.
4. Calories from fat: 15.0% raw fat
Condition requires calories, and Pur.Muskel supplies them as 15.0% raw fat from linseed oil and sunflower seed — energy that lands free of a starch load.
The benefit: weight support without feeding hot.
5. Energy measured, not guessed: 14.1 MJ/kg
Pur.Muskel lists 14.1 MJ/kg of digestible energy and 11.9 MJ/kg metabolizable energy. Exact numbers let you match intake to how the horse is really holding, from one week to the next.
Who this is for: owners who track body condition instead of eyeball it.
6. Starch at 5.8%, sugar at 4.1%
The condition calories come in at 5.8% starch and 4.1% sugar — kept low on purpose so the feed fits metabolically sensitive breeds as well as everyday hard workers.
The benefit: filling out the ration without upsetting it.
7. No added vitamins or minerals — it fits your plan
Because Pur.Muskel contributes no vitamins or minerals, it fits into a custom feeding plan without duplicating anything. That counts when you are already balancing a ration around a horse that struggles to hold condition.
Who this is for: owners running a carefully measured ration plan.
8. A rate you can adjust as condition changes
Feeding rates range from 0.07–0.11 lb (30–50 g) per 220 lb (100 kg) of body weight in light work up to 0.18–0.22 lb (80–100 g) in heavy work. As training steps up, the supplement ramps with it — and a 1,000 lb horse in medium work needs only 50–80 g daily.
The benefit: condition support that scales with the training calendar.
9. Backed by 120 years of feed making
Höveler has made horse feed in Germany since 1905 — over 120 years of expertise — and Pur.Muskel is competition safe and FEI-compliant. Bifid backs it with a 24/7 licensed vet team and a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee, and the store is rated 9.0/10 across 24,098 reviews.
Who this is for: owners who want a trusted partner for a condition-holding plan.
How to feed it
Pur.Muskel is a supplementary feed added to a complete ration — 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)Adjust to body condition and training intensity, and keep forage always alongside.
Key specs at a glance: 44 lb bag, $52.99, raw protein 20%, digestible crude protein 160 g/kg, raw fat 15.0%, digestible energy 14.1 MJ/kg, starch 5.8% — a supplementary feed added to a complete ration. The complete breakdown lives on the Höveler Pur.Muskel 44 lb bag page.
Match the rate to your horse with the feeding calculator.
What an owner said
"Excellent performance 9" — Jessica, May 21, 2024 (9/10). Her comment notes the horses maintain stronger muscle condition.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pur.Muskel a weight-gain feed?
It is a supplementary feed formulated to support muscle and condition inside a complete ration, supplying 20% raw protein and 15.0% raw fat. It is no standalone complete feed and no cure for weight loss — persistent condition problems call for a vet check.
How soon will I see a difference in topline?
Condition change follows training and consistent feeding. What Pur.Muskel provides is 160 g/kg digestible crude protein with 0.85% lysine — the building material the muscle work uses.
How much do I feed?
0.11–0.18 lb (50–80 g) per 220 lb (100 kg) of body weight in medium work. A 1,000 lb horse gets 50–80 g per day.
Does it contain soy?
Yes — soy flakes are one of the core protein sources, alongside pea flakes and sweet lupine flakes. It is not soy-free. It is alfalfa-free, with no vitamins or minerals added.