5 Reasons Höveler Pur.Muskel Belongs in the Off-Season Plan
Quick answer: Höveler Pur.Muskel is a supplementary muesli (pellet mix) formulated to support muscle development, with 20% raw protein and only 5.8% starch and 4.1% sugar. It is added to a complete ration — never fed as a standalone feed — and carries no added vitamins or minerals. A 44 lb bag costs $52.99. Last checked: September 2026.
The off-season is where next season is actually built. Work eases off, turnout increases, and the quiet fear is watching a season of topline slip away while the horse lives in the field. The answer is not more concentrate — it is the right protein support at the right level. Below are 5 reasons Pur.Muskel belongs in the off-season plan.
1. Protein holds muscle when the work drops
Reduced work still takes a toll on muscle if the ration stops delivering. Pur.Muskel supplies 20% raw protein with 160 g/kg of digestible crude protein, formulated for muscle building. At quiet-season rates — light work is 0.07–0.11 lb (30–50 g) per 220 lb (100 kg) body weight — it supports condition without overfeeding.
Who this is for: owners whose horses have a lighter schedule but a topline they want to keep.
2. Low starch and sugar for field-kept horses
The off-season often means more turnout and less demanding work, so the concentrate should be gentle. Pur.Muskel holds starch at 5.8% and sugar at 4.1% — a profile the fact sheet says suits metabolically sensitive breeds. Muscle support without feeding the quiet winter energy you do not need.
The benefit: a protein-rich supplementary feed that keeps starch low through a quiet season.
3. 15.0% fat for calm maintenance energy
The mix carries 15.0% raw fat and 11.9 MJ/kg of metabolizable energy, so maintenance needs are covered without a starch load. It is also alfalfa-free and made to be gentle on the stomach — useful across a season of new routines and more stall time for some horses.
Who this is for: owners of easy-doers who need maintenance-level support, not a performance-level ration.
4. Integrates into the winter ration without stacking
Pur.Muskel contains no added vitamins or minerals. That is just what an off-season plan wants: a supplementary feed that adds protein and energy only, while your balancer continues to handle micronutrients. It is designed to be included in a full nutrition plan — an addition, not a substitute.
The benefit: clean integration into a complete ration, with nothing stacked twice.
5. Off-season economy: $52.99, small daily rates
At maintenance rates, a 1,000 lb horse in light work gets 30–50 g daily — so a 44 lb bag at $52.99 lasts a long stretch of the quiet months. Höveler has made horse feed since 1905, over 120 years of expertise, made in Germany. bifid stands behind the purchase with a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee. The current listing is on the product page.
Who this is for: owners planning the off-season budget who want a single honest cost per bag.
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 light work receives 30–50 g daily in the off-season. These gram ranges are small, so weigh the ration rather than scooping it. Forage always remains alongside.
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 set a maintenance rate for your own horse, work out the exact amount with the feeding calculator.
What an owner said
"Excellent performance 9" — Jessica, May 21, 2024 (Quality https://sites.google.com/view/aminoacid-supplement-for-horse/ 5, Value 4, Price 5). Her comment notes the horses maintain stronger muscle condition on it.
Frequently asked questions
Should I feed a muscle supplement in the off-season at all?
If keeping topline through a light schedule counts to you, yes — muscle is maintained by protein even when work drops. Pur.Muskel is formulated for muscle building and feeds at a small rate for light work of 30–50 g per 220 lb (100 kg) body weight daily.
Is it too rich for a horse doing almost nothing?
The rate scales down with the work, and starch sits at just 5.8% with sugar at 4.1%. Tune it to condition, and keep forage in the plan.
Is it a complete feed?
No. It is a supplementary feed with no added vitamins or minerals, added to a full nutrition plan with forage and a balancer.
Does it contain soy?
Yes. Soy flakes are 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 it cost per bag?
$52.99 for 44 lb through bifid, backed by a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee.