Step Right Horse Feed Guide: Which Step Is Right for Your Horse?

If you've ever stood in the feed aisle staring at a row of Hi-Pro bags wondering which one is actually for your horse you're not alone. The Step Right horse feed program is one of the most comprehensive equine feeding systems available in Alberta, but with eight different Steps, it can feel overwhelming at first.

The good news? Each Step is designed for one specific horse profile by age, activity level, or health condition. Once you understand the system, choosing the right feed takes about two minutes. In this guide, we will walk you through each step.We will share a simple step right horse feed chart for quick reference.We will also help you find the right option for your horse.

What Is Step Right Horse Feed?

Step Right Premium Equine Feed is a program developed by equine nutritionists at Hi-Pro Feeds, designed to meet the needs of horses at every stage of their life. Every Step in the lineup is formulated with a specific horse type in mind from newborn foals to senior horses to hard-working performance athletes.

All Step Right feeds are fortified with ZinPro 4-Plex EQ chelated trace minerals, organic selenium, Biotin for hoof health, and Diamond V Yeast Culture for gut health. You're not just buying a bag of grain you're buying a precision-formulated nutritional program backed by equine science.

At Horse Creek Hay & Feed in Rocky View County, we carry the full Step Right lineup. Explore our complete Step Right collection here right now.

How Does the Step Right Horse Feed Chart Help Horse Owners

Use this step right horse feed chart to find your match at a glance:

Step	Feed Name	Best For
Step 1	Start Right	Foals, weanlings, broodmares (lactating/late gestation)
Step 2	Peak Performance	Performance horses, training, stallions, hard keepers
Step 3	GenAPro	Hay replacer for travel, forage gaps, or winter shortages
Step 4	Complete Pellet	Idle to lightly active horses needing balanced nutrition
Step 5	Top Up Mineral	Pasture horses or horses on plain oats/COB
Step 6	Senior	Horses 15+ years, hard keepers, mature horses
Step 7	Ration Balancer	Over-conditioned horses, low-calorie top-up
Step 8	Hi-Fat Cool Energy	Metabolic horses, performance, Alberta winters

 

Every Step Right Horse Feed Explained By Horse Creek Hay & Feed

Step 1 — Start Right | Foals, Weanlings & Broodmares

Step 1 is a soy-free pelleted feed designed specifically for lactating broodmares, foals from about one week of age, and weanlings up to one year. It's excellent for mares in the final stages of gestation when nutrient demands are at their peak. The extruded kibble format is highly digestible for young horses still developing their gut microbiome. Shop Step 1 – Start Right.

Step 2 — Peak Performance | Working & Performance Horses

This is the go-to step right horse feed for horses in training, barrel horses, eventers, show horses, stallions, and hard keepers. Step 2 delivers higher energy and protein to support muscle development, stamina, and recovery from hard work. If your horse sweats hard regularly, this is their Step. Shop Step 2 – Peak Performance.

Step 3 — GenAPro | Hay Replacer for Travel & Forage Gaps

Step 3 is a high fibre, low sugar, low starch alfalfa-based complete feed that can be used as a partial or full hay replacer. It's ideal for when your hay supply runs low in winter, during transport, or when forage quality is poor. Keep a few bags on hand for emergencies. Shop Step 3 – GenAPro.

Step 4 — Complete Pellet | Balanced Everyday Feed

Step 4 is the straightforward, all-round option for horses in light work or at maintenance. It's a clean, balanced pelleted feed that covers all the nutritional bases without the extra calories of Step 2. Great for pleasure horses, trail horses, or horses in light riding programs. Shop Step 4 – Complete Pellet.

Step 5 — Top Up Mineral Fortifier | Vitamin & Mineral Supplement

Step 5 is a loose mineral supplement not a complete feed. It's used to top up vitamins and minerals for horses eating plain oats, COB (corn, oats, barley), or for horses on good pasture who don't need extra calories. It fills nutritional gaps without adding grain. Shop Step 5 – Top Up Mineral.

Step 6 — Senior | Horses 15+ Years & Hard Keepers

Step 6 is specially formulated for the unique challenges of aging horses. It's a blend of pellets and extruded kibble — easy to chew for horses with worn or missing teeth — and addresses slower metabolism, reduced nutrient absorption, and weight maintenance. If your horse is losing condition despite eating well, Step 6 is worth trying. Especially valuable through Alberta winters. Shop Step 6 – Senior.

Step 7 — Ration Balancer | Low-Calorie Nutritional Top-Up

Step 7 is fed in small amounts to balance the diet of horses that don't need extra energy. It's ideal for easy keepers or over-conditioned horses on pasture, or for horses eating plain oats who need their vitamin and mineral profile topped up. A little goes a long way. Shop Step 7 – Ration Balancer.

Step 8 — Hi-Fat Cool Energy | Metabolic & High-Performance Horses

Step 8 is one of the most popular step right horse feeds we carry — and for good reason. It's a pelleted, vacuum-infused, high fat, high fibre, low NSC feed that's ideal for horses with insulin resistance, laminitis risk, or metabolic challenges. Fat sources include non-hydrogenated canola oil, flax, and rice bran — providing an optimal Omega 3:6 ratio.

Because fat generates less digestive heat than carbohydrates, Step 8 is also excellent for hard-working performance horses in hot summer conditions — and it helps horses maintain body condition through cold Alberta winters. Shop Step 8 – Hi-Fat Cool Energy.

How to Transition Between Steps Right Horse Feed

Life stages change, and your horse's Step should too. When transitioning to a new Step Right horse feed, always do it gradually over 7–10 days:

1. Days 1–3: 75% old feed, 25% new feed
2. Days 4–6: 50% old feed, 50% new feed
3. Days 7–9: 25% old feed, 75% new feed
4. Day 10+: 100% new feed

Watch your horse's body condition score over the first month. If they're losing weight, increase the amount don't switch Steps right away. If in doubt, consult your vet or equine nutritionist.

Which Step Right Horse Feed Is Right for Your Horse?

Here's a quick summary to help you decide:

Young horse or nursing mare?

Use Step 1 for growth and milk production support.

Competing or in heavy training? 

Use Step 2 for high energy and performance needs.

Need a hay replacer? 

Use Step 3 when forage is limited or poor quality.

Light work, balanced diet? 

Use Step 4 for maintenance and moderate activity.

On pasture or eating plain grain? 

Use Step 5 to balance basic diets

Senior or hard keeper? 

Use Step 6 for easy digestion and weight gain.

Overweight or very low activity? 

Use Step 7 for controlled calories and weight management.

Metabolic issues or harsh Alberta winter? 

Use Step 8 for specialized support and condition control.

Shop Step Right Horse Feed in Alberta

Horse Creek Hay & Feed carries the full Step Right lineup, available for local pickup or delivery across Rocky View County,and surrounding areas. We're here to help you choose the right Step for your horse's specific needs just reach out if you have questions.Shop All Step Right Horse Feeds at Horse Creek Hay & Feed

Have a question about which Step is right for your horse? Contact us here we're always happy to help.