Phillip Becker has bought feed for his animals from Hill Country Feed & Supply for two years and said the quality of the store’s products is just as great as its customer service.

“They are just incredibly nice people,” said Becker, who owns four horses, two donkeys, several fish and soon two baby longhorn steers. “They go out of their way for me. … Their product[s] [are] very fresh and of high quality.”

The shop sells foods for almost every kind of animal—from cats and chickens to catfish, horses and pigs. Customers can also purchase livestock, such as chickens, goats and pigs, Manager Gordon Lester said.

The store’s customers are private owners of animals as well as businesses such as the Longhorn Polo Club in Dripping Springs, he said. The store provides show feed to high school students who participate in agricultural shows, Lester said, and the store offers a discount for students who purchase the feed themselves.

“That [discount is] to keep the kids involved,” he said. “To the kid it’s all about the animals, but what it is really about is learning responsibility, learning teamwork, learning all the things that make us good adults. That is what goes into the shows. You learn how to lose with elegance, but you learn how to win as well.”

In addition to the shop, Hill Country Feed & Supply also offers horse workshops for adults and children.

This year’s workshop took place at South Wind Equestrian Center in Leander, where 78 participants learned how to rope horses, basic horse care and nutrition as well as how to buy a horse and find it proper housing, said Kelly Jones, owner of the South Wind Equestrian Center.

The next workshop is expected to take place in March.

“They are very knowledgeable and friendly,” she said. “I highly recommend [Hill Country Feed & Supply]. Gordon is a not only a good manager but also a good mentor for the young people that come into the store and work for him. He is very encouraging.”

Lester said everyone working at the store focuses on providing a small-town atmosphere and customer service.

“I want [our customers] to be happy,” he said. “We really care about the people. We treat everybody like family.”

Hill Country Feed & Supply 909 S. US 183, Leander 512-259-1658 www.facebook.com/hillcountryfeed Hours: Mon.-Sat. 8:15 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.