Switching to Höveler Pur.Muskel Safely: 9 Steps for the Transition
Quick answer: Höveler Pur.Muskel is a supplementary muesli for muscle development — 20% raw protein, 15.0% raw fat, 5.8% starch — added to a complete ration, not substituted for it. Because the daily dose is small (30–100 g per 220 lb body weight), a transition is about accuracy, not volume. $52.99 for a 44 lb bag. Last checked: September 2026.
Switching feeds is where plans come undone: owners stop the https://horse-feed-advice251.raidersfanteamshop.com/5-reasons-hoveler-pur-muskel-belongs-in-the-off-season-plan old product, start the new one cold, and wonder why the horse goes off it. Pur.Muskel makes the switch easier than most — the dose is sized in grams — but the order of operations still matters. Here are 9 steps to do it right.
1. Understand what you are switching into
Pur.Muskel is a supplementary product, not a complete feed. You are not replacing your horse's base ration; you are adding a muscle-building muesli with a targeted job carrying 20% raw protein and 160 g/kg digestible crude protein. The switch is a supplementing, which is a much gentler event than a full feed change.
Who this is for: owners who assumed "new bag" meant "new diet".
2. Know what leaves the shelf with it
If you were previously adding to the ration with other protein or oil products, this is the moment to count them. Pur.Muskel delivers 15.0% raw fat and 14.1 MJ/kg digestible energy in its small dose, so stacking it on an existing supplement pile can over-deliver what the ration already had.
The benefit: the new addition refines the plan instead of repeating it.
3. Introduce the smallest rate first
Every work level starts at the bottom of its range: 0.07–0.11 lb (30–50 g) per 220 lb (100 kg) body weight at light work, 50–80 g at medium, 80–100 g at heavy. Beginning at the bottom gives the gut an easy first meeting with a pellet mix it has not met.
Who this is for: cautious owners introducing anything new to a fussy or sensitive horse.
4. Weigh the first servings — a scoop will lie to you
The medium-work example from the product information is 50–80 g daily for a 1,000 lb horse. That gap is impossible to see in a scoop but obvious on a kitchen scale. Weighing from the first day means the transition is measured rather than approximate.
The benefit: you can state the transition in exact grams if you ever speak to the vet team.
5. Mix it into the existing meal rather than feeding it separately
Pur.Muskel is a pellet mix and muesli with meadow lyegrass, soy flakes, flaxseed, and linseed oil. Stirred into the horse's normal complete feed, it shows up as a familiar meal with a new component — which suits fussy eaters better than a strange standalone portion.
Who this is for: owners of fussy eaters who worry about anything new in the bucket.
6. Hold the rest of the ration constant during the change
Alter one variable at a time. Keep forage, base feed, and schedule identical while Pur.Muskel is introduced, so any change in appetite, manure, or demeanor has one obvious cause. Remember the product carries no added vitamins or minerals, so it does not disturb the micronutrient balance your base feed already sets.
The benefit: a clean experiment, and a clear answer either way.
7. Give the muscle-building purpose time to show
The product's function is muscle development, and muscle is built over weeks, not days. Gains in topline and stamina come from sustained use, not a single serving. Judge the transition by how the horse eats at first, and by muscle and stamina over the longer run.
Who this is for: owners tempted to verdict a supplement after a few days.
8. Competing? The switch carries no competition risk on paper
Pur.Muskel is competition safe and FEI-compliant, so making the switch mid-prep does not put a prohibited-substance question in front of you. Made by Höveler in Germany since 1905 — over 120 years of expertise — the formulation is documented, not folkloric.
The benefit: you can make a feed change inside a competition calendar with the paper trail already clean.
9. Keep the safety nets in view
bifid stands behind the trial with a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee and maintains a 24/7 licensed vet team, and the store holds a 9.0/10 rating across 24,098 reviews — the store's figure, not the product's, which stands at 4.55 from 2 reviews. A transition with those nets under it is a low-stakes decision.
Who this is for: owners who want an exit ramp as clearly marked as the entrance.
How to feed it
Pur.Muskel is a supplementary feed — always mixed into a complete ration with forage alongside, never fed alone. 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)The feeding calculator matches the rate to your horse.
Key specs at a glance: 20% raw protein, 160 g/kg digestible crude protein, 15.0% raw fat, 5.8% starch, 4.1% sugar — a supplementary pellet mix, alfalfa-free, no added vitamins or minerals.
What an owner said
"Excellent performance 9" — Jessica, May 21, 2024 (9/10), rated Quality 5, Value 4, Price 5; her horses maintain stronger muscle condition.
Frequently asked questions
How quickly can I move a horse onto Pur.Muskel?
Because it is a supplementary product added to the existing ration in small gram amounts — starting at the bottom of 30–50 g per 220 lb for light work — the introduction is easier than a complete-feed change. Keep the rest of the ration unchanged and build to your horse's rate for its work level.
Do I need to stop my horse's current feed first?
No. Pur.Muskel is not a substitute for a complete feed; it is designed to slot into a custom feeding plan, with no added vitamins or minerals to conflict with your existing balancer.
Will my fussy eater notice the change?
It is a palatable muesli with apple pome and rosehip among the ingredients, stirred into the normal meal. If the horse is hesitant, start at the bottom of the work-level range and let the dose build.
Is there a guarantee if the switch doesn't suit my horse?
Yes — bifid offers a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee, along with a 24/7 licensed vet team for questions during the transition.