7 Reasons Höveler Pur.Muskel Suits Dressage Horses

Quick answer: Höveler Pur.Muskel is a supplementary muesli added to a complete ration, formulated for muscle development — 20% raw protein, 160 g/kg digestible crude protein, and only 5.8% starch so a dressage horse holds its mind in the arena. Competition safe and FEI-compliant, $52.99 for a 44 lb bag. Last checked: September 2026.

Dressage owners carry one worry more than the rest: how to build the topline and pushing power collected work asks for without feeding a hot, tense horse. Pur.Muskel was developed to answer that — protein and energy in small daily grams, with starch kept low. Seven reasons it fits a dressage program.

1. 20% raw protein targets the topline

Collected work lives on the topline, and topline is muscle. Pur.Muskel carries 20% raw protein with 160 g/kg digestible crude protein, so its rated Functionality is Muscle Building. It is a supplementary feed, mixed into a full ration — not a complete feed on its own.

Who this is for: dressage horses that train four or more days a week and need visible development along the neck and back.

2. The amino acids collected work burns through

Lysine sits at 0.85%, methionine at 0.25%, methionine plus cysteine at 0.5%, and threonine at 0.6% — the amino acids a working horse draws on to maintain muscle under daily schooling. They ride in on named sources: soy flakes, pea flakes, and sweet lupine flakes in the ingredient list.

The benefit: protein with the building blocks already counted, not just a protein percentage on the bag.

3. 5.8% starch and 4.1% sugar for a rideable mind

Tension is the downfall of a dressage test. Pur.Muskel keeps starch at 5.8% and sugar at 4.1%, with energy coming instead from 15.0% raw fat — a profile designed for metabolically sensitive breeds and for horses that need to stay level-headed in the arena.

Who this is for: warm or sensitive horses that sharpen up on grain-heavy mixes.

4. Energy density in gram-scale amounts

Pur.Muskel delivers 14.1 MJ/kg digestible energy (11.9 MJ metabolizable). That density means a supplementary ration works out to 0.11–0.18 lb (50–80 g) per 220 lb (100 kg) of body weight at medium work — small daily amounts, real calories.

The benefit: fuel for a 60-minute schooling session without a larger feed tub.

5. No added vitamins or minerals — a clean slot in a custom plan

Pur.Muskel contains no added vitamins or minerals, so it integrates into a custom feeding plan without repeating nutrients your balancer or forage already supplies. It is also alfalfa-free and easy on the digestive system.

Who this is for: owners running a ration plan and a mineral balancer already in place.

6. Competition safe and FEI-compliant

Show season brings strict rules, so the feed has to be above board. Pur.Muskel is competition safe and FEI-compliant, made in Germany with over 120 years of expertise — the house has made horse feed since 1905.

The benefit: one feed from the first qualifier through the final test.

7. Bought risk-free with service behind it

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 run in Florida. It costs $52.99 for a 44 lb bag, and the product page carries the full label and current price.

Who this is for: owners committing to a season-long program who need the trial risk covered.

How to feed it

Pur.Muskel is a supplementary feed mixed into a complete ration — forage stays the base, and it is not a complete feed on its own. 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. Note these are small gram-scale rates — weigh the ration rather than measuring by eye, and adjust to condition as the training week shifts. The feeding calculator works out the daily amount in seconds.

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

"Noticeable difference in stamina" — Jessica, March 14, 2019. Rated Quality 4, Value 5, and Price 4.

Frequently asked questions

Is Pur.Muskel suitable for dressage horses?

Yes — it supports muscle development with 20% raw protein and 160 g/kg digestible crude protein, while starch stays at 5.8% for a level mind. It is added to a complete ration, never fed alone.

Will it make my dressage horse hot?

The energy comes from 15.0% raw fat instead of starch, which sits at 5.8% with sugar at 4.1%. That profile is formulated for metabolically sensitive breeds and rideable temperaments.

Can I use it during the competition season?

Yes — Pur.Muskel is competition safe and FEI-compliant. It is made in Germany by a house that has made horse feed since 1905.

Does it contain soy?

Yes — soy flakes are a main protein source, so it is not soy-free. It is alfalfa-free and contains no added vitamins or minerals.

How much do I feed?

Rates run per 220 lb (100 kg) of body weight: https://grainfree-rationrmco356.sagecurrent.com/posts/hoveler-pur.muskel-5-fiber-sources-behind-its-18.7-crude-fiber 0.07–0.11 lb (30–50 g) in light work, 0.11–0.18 lb (50–80 g) in medium work, 0.18–0.22 lb (80–100 g) in heavy work. Adjust to your horse's condition.

What does it cost?

$52.99 for a 44 lb bag, with bifid's 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee and a 24/7 licensed vet team standing behind the purchase.