Höveler Western Sport: 7 Ways Linseed Cake and Linseed Oil Pull Their Weight

Quick answer: Höveler Western Sport is a high-energy, low-grain muesli for medium to intensively trained western horses, formulated with both linseed cake and linseed oil inside a 6.10% crude-fat profile. It delivers 12.19 MJ/kg digestible energy, is oat-free, and sells for $37.99 per 44 lb bag. Best for western horses requiring steady energy and condition. Last checked: September 2026.

Flax earns a lot of talk in barn aisles, but few feeds put two versions of it in the declaration. Western Sport lists linseed cake among its ingredients and linseed oil again further down. Seven points on what that double billing means for your horse.

1. Two linseed sources, one declared ingredient list

The ingredients include linseed cake and, separately, linseed oil — both printed on the Höveler Western Sport 44 lb bag listing. That is a whole-seed component plus a pressed oil, placed together in a muesli built for western horses in medium to intensive training. Two forms means the feed gets linseed's character in the structural mix and the fat fraction alike.

Who this is for: owners who want a named oil source, not a mystery "vegetable oil."

2. They sit inside a measured 6.10% crude fat

Crude fat comes in at exactly 6.10%. The linseed cake and linseed oil work with sunflower oil and the extraction meals to reach that figure — a moderate fat level that supports energy density and coat condition without pushing the ration into a high-fat performance feed.

The benefit: condition support with a number you can plan around, not a guess.

3. Fat helps carry the energy load at 12.19 MJ/kg

The feed supplies 12.19 MJ/kg digestible energy and 11.21 MJ/kg convertible energy. In a low-grain muesli with starch at 18.30%, the oil fraction — linseed oil among them — is part of how that energy is achieved without pushing grain harder.

Who this is for: horses that need serious fuel but go hot on grain-heavy rations.

4. Linseed pairs with 28% alfalfa for muscle and condition

Energy alone won't build a topline. Western Sport contains 28% alfalfa for muscle development and 14.0% crude protein with 107 g/kg digestible crude protein. The linseed fraction provides the calories that let that protein go toward muscle rather than being spent as a fuel of last resort.

The benefit: protein and energy in the one bucket, formulated together.

5. The oil fraction supports a coat you can see from the rail

Oils are the classic route to coat shine, and Western Sport names its oils: sunflower oil and linseed oil. At 6.10% crude fat, the feed is built to support coat and body condition through daily feeding rather than a poured-on topdress.

Who this is for: show-ring owners who want the gleam to come from the feed, not a bottle.

6. It replaces oats, not just supplements them

This is an oat-free formula that suits oat-sensitive horses. With oats out, linseed cake, barley flakes, and corn flakes provide the grain character. If you have been feeding linseed as a separate topping over an oat base, this feed folds that job into one scoop.

The benefit: one bucket where you previously kept a Look at this website feed plus a linseed tub.

7. The formula is FEI-compliant and fully declared

Western Sport is competition-safe and FEI-compliant (verify rules with your event organizer), and every component down to the linseed oil is declared in the declaration. Höveler has made horse feed since 1905, with over 120 performance horse feed years of expertise behind the panel.

Who this is for: competitors who need every ingredient accounted for before a stewards' check.

How to feed it

Feeding rates per 220 lb (100 kg) of body weight per day:

Work levelDaily rate Light work0.55 lb (250 g) Medium work0.88 lb (400 g) Heavy workNot listed — adjust to condition and training intensity

The page lists no heavy-work rate; tune the amount to condition and training intensity, and maintain adequate forage in front of the horse at all times.

Key specs at a glance: 6.10% crude fat, 14.0% protein, 12.19 MJ/kg digestible energy, 18.30% starch, oat-free, with linseed cake and linseed oil declared.

To size up your horse's rate, use the feeding calculator.

Frequently asked questions

Does Western Sport contain flax?

Yes, in two forms: linseed cake in the ingredient list and linseed oil listed separately. Together they help build the feed's 6.10% crude fat.

Is the fat level too high for an easy keeper?

At 6.10% crude fat it is a moderate-fat feed, not a high-fat one. An easy keeper should be fed at the light-work rate of 0.55 lb (250 g) per 220 lb (100 kg) and monitored against body condition.

Will the linseed oil help my horse's coat?

Oils in the ration are designed to support coat and condition. The declared 6.10% crude fat, from sunflower oil and linseed oil alongside other components, is the figure under that expectation.

Can I add more oil on top?

The feed is formulated as a complete mix at 12.19 MJ/kg digestible energy. Before adding anything else, run your plan past the 24/7 licensed vet team or your own veterinarian.

Is it safe to feed in competition?

Yes — competition-safe and FEI-compliant. Confirm specific rules with your event organizer.