Hi-Pro vs Masterfeeds Horse Feed: Which Is Better for Your Horse?

Two of the most trusted names in Canadian horse feed are Hi-Pro and Masterfeeds and if you've ever stood in a feed store trying to decide between the two, you know the struggle. Both brands have been feeding Alberta horses for decades.

Both have loyal followings. Both produce quality, science-backed feeds that real Canadian horse owners rely on.

So which one is actually better? The honest answer: it depends on your horse. A metabolic horse with laminitis risk has completely different needs than a hard-working performance horse or a fussy senior.

In this guide, we'll give you a fair, side-by-side breakdown of hi pro horse feed vs masterfeeds horse feed so you can make the right call for your horse, not just grab the nearest bag.

Who Are Hi-Pro and Masterfeeds?

Hi-Pro Horse Feed — Prairie Roots, Global Science

Hi-Pro Feeds also known as hipro is manufactured by Trouw Nutrition Canada, one of the world's largest animal nutrition companies.

Hi-Pro has deep Alberta roots through its acquisition of Champion Feed Services, the brand expanded its network from Grande Prairie and Barrhead all the way down to Lethbridge, giving it one of the most comprehensive distribution footprints in the province.

The entire hi pro feed equine lineup has recently been upgraded with micronutrients from Kentucky Equine Research a globally respected equine science institution.

Every bag also contains ZinPro 4-Plex chelated trace minerals, organic selenium, and Biotin for hoof health. Hi-Pro is especially known for its structured Step Right feeding program, which assigns each horse a specific Step based on age, activity, and health needs making it very user-friendly, especially for newer horse owners.

Masterfeeds Horse Feed — A Canadian Heritage Brand

Masterfeeds is one of Canada's most recognized livestock and equine feed brands, now operating under Alltech — a global animal nutrition leader. With over 600 employees and a dealer network spanning BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and the Maritimes, Masterfeeds is available almost everywhere horses live in Canada.

The brand actually got its start in thoroughbred racing the now-iconic Krunch Cubes were originally developed for Canada's top thoroughbred farms. Today, masterfeeds horse feed covers everything from budget-friendly everyday pellets to specialty metabolic feeds, texturized sweet feeds, and hay replacers.

Key products feature 100% organic trace minerals and highly palatable formulas  including molasses-based sweet feeds that even picky horses tend to love.

At Horse Creek Hay & Feed, we carry the full Hi-Pro Step Right feed lineup available for local pickup or delivery across Rocky View County.

Product Range Comparison: Hi-Pro Feed vs Masterfeeds

Here's how both brands stack up across different horse types:

Horse Type	Hi-Pro Horse Feed	Masterfeeds Horse Feed
Foals & Broodmares	Step 1 – Start Right (soy-free)	16% Equine Developer
Performance / Working	Step 2 – Peak Performance	13% NRG (12% fat, multi-particle)
Light Activity / Maintenance	Step 4 – Complete Pellet	12% Light Performance (pellet or sweet)
Senior Horses	Step 6 – Senior	Rx Roughage / Fat 'n' Fibre
Metabolic / Low NSC	Step 8 – Hi-Fat Cool Energy	Fat 'n' Fibre / Easy Cube
Hay Replacer	Step 3 – GenAPro	Rx Roughage Cubes
Mineral / Vitamin Top-Up	Step 5 or Step 7	Easy Cube / Ration Balancer
Picky Eaters	Step 8 (vacuum-infused pellet)	Krunch Cubes / 13% NRG Sweet Feed

 

Which Horse Feed Is Best for Alberta Horse Owners: Hi-Pro or Masterfeeds?

Factor 1: Feeding System & Ease of Use

This is where hi pro horse feed stands out clearly. The Step Right program gives every horse a number from 1 to 8, with each Step designed for a specific horse profile.

You don't need a nutrition degree to use it just match your horse to the right Step and you're done. It's a structured, science-guided system that makes feeding decisions easy, especially for owners with multiple horses at different life stages.

Masterfeeds has a wider product range, but that variety can also mean more decisions. If you're an experienced owner who knows exactly what protein percentage and fat level you want, that flexibility is a plus.

If you're newer to horse keeping, the hipro Step Right system will likely feel more approachable.

Factor 2: Ingredient Quality & Mineral Fortification

Both brands take mineral quality seriously, but they take different approaches. Hi pro feed uses ZinPro 4-Plex EQ chelated trace minerals plus Kentucky Equine Research micronutrients a combination that puts it among the most scientifically supported equine feeds in Canada. Chelated minerals are bonded to amino acids for better absorption than standard inorganic minerals.

Masterfeeds uses 100% organic trace minerals in select products also highly bioavailable. Their formulas are well-regarded by Canadian equine nutritionists and their ingredients are consistently high quality.

Factor 3: Metabolic & Special Needs Horses

For horses with insulin resistance, laminitis risk, or metabolic syndrome, feed choice is critical. Hi-Pro Step 8 Hi-Fat Cool Energy is purpose-built for this it's a vacuum-infused, low NSC, high fat pellet drawing fat from non-hydrogenated canola oil, flax, and rice bran at an optimal Omega 3:6 ratio.

It also generates less digestive heat than carbohydrate-based feeds, making it ideal for performance horses working in hot summers or trying to stay warm through Alberta winters.

Masterfeeds has good options here too Fat 'n' Fibre is a controlled starch feed at a budget-friendly price point, and Easy Cube works well as a low-calorie ration balancer for easy keepers. But Step 8's purpose-specific formulation gives hipro a slight edge for horses with serious metabolic challenges.

Shop Step 8 – Hi-Fat Cool Energy at Horse Creek Hay & Feed

Factor 4: Palatability — Picky Eaters

Masterfeeds wins here, full stop. Their texturized sweet feeds oat-based with molasses are among the most palatable horse feeds on the Canadian market.

The Krunch Cubes, originally developed for fussy thoroughbreds, are still a go-to for horses that turn their nose up at plain pellets. The 13% NRG is another crowd-pleaser: oil-coated fortified pellets with extruded bits and a light molasses coating.

Hi pro horse feed relies on clean pelleted and extruded formats nutritionally excellent, but less appealing to a horse who's used to sweet feed. If your horse is a notoriously picky eater, masterfeeds horse feed may get better acceptance right out of the bag.

Factor 5: Local Availability in Alberta

Both hi pro feed and masterfeeds are widely stocked across Alberta. Horse Creek Hay & Feed carries the full Hi-Pro Step Right lineup at our Rocky View County and surrounding communities. We're happy to help you find the right product for your horse just reach out if you have questions.

Which Brand Is Right for Your Horse?

Here's a quick decision guide:

Choose Hi-Pro horse feed if:

·       You want a structured, step-by-step feeding program

·       Your horse has metabolic issues, insulin resistance, or laminitis risk (Step 8)

·       You have a foal, senior, or performance horse needing targeted nutrition (Steps 1, 2, 6)

·       You want chelated mineral fortification backed by Kentucky Equine Research science

·       You're a newer horse owner who wants clear, guided feeding decisions

Choose Masterfeeds horse feed if:

·       Your horse is a picky eater who prefers texturized or sweet feed

·       You want a highly palatable option for fussy thoroughbreds or performance horses

·       You need a versatile hay stretcher or roughage product (Rx Roughage)

·       You prefer a well-known Canadian heritage brand with a broad product range

·       You're an experienced owner who wants to custom-build a feeding program from individual products

Can You Mix Hi-Pro and Masterfeeds?

Yes many Alberta horse owners use products from both brands depending on the horse, and there's nothing wrong with that approach. A common combination is a Masterfeeds texturized sweet feed paired with a Hi-Pro mineral top-up (Step 5 or Step 7) to round out the nutrient profile.

The key rule when mixing or switching feeds: always transition gradually over 7–10 days. A sudden switch can disrupt the hindgut microbiome and lead to digestive upset or colic. Start with 75% old feed and 25% new, then shift the ratio over the following week. If you're combining multiple feeds, make sure you understand the total daily nutrient load  your vet or equine nutritionist can help if you're unsure.

Order Hi-Pro Horse Feed from Horse Creek Hay & Feed

Both hi pro horse feed and masterfeeds horse feed are strong options, and the best choice comes down to your horse's specific needs. If you want a structured, science-backed program with clear guidance at every life stage, Hi-Pro's Step Right system is hard to beat — especially for metabolic horses, performance horses, or multi-horse operations.

Horse Creek Hay & Feed is based in Rocky View County, AB, and we carry the complete Hi-Pro Step Right lineup. We deliver across Rocky View County and surrounding communities. If you're not sure which Step is right for your horse, we're happy to help just reach out.

Shop All Hi-Pro Step Right Feeds at Horse Creek Hay & Feed

Have any question related to Hi-Pro or Masterfeed Horse Feed then? Contact us