Rhonda M. Hoffman, Ph.D., PAS, Dipl. ACAN
Associate Professor
B.S. Truman State University, Agriculture
(Equine Science), 1992.
M.S. Virginia Tech, Animal & Poultry Sciences (Equine Nutrition), 1994.
Ph.D. Virginia Tech, Animal & Poultry Sciences (Equine Nutrition), 1997.
Dr. Rhonda M. Hoffman is an Associate Professor in Animal Science/Horse Science in the School of Agribusiness and Agriscience at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. She is a member of the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists and a Diplomate of the American College of Animal Nutrition. Her graduate research at the Virginia Tech MARE Center, a 420-acre Thoroughbred breeding farm, provided the basis for her continued work in horse nutrition as well as a strong practical foundation in day-to-day equine care and management. Prior to coming to MTSU, Dr. Hoffman worked as the Horse Extension Specialist at the University of Connecticut and as a Research Assistant Professor at Virginia Tech. Dr. Hoffman has worked at MTSU since August 2003, in teaching, research, public service, and as the primary advisor for all students majoring in Horse Science. She is the faculty advisor for the MTSU Horsemen's Association, and she developed and currently maintains the MTSU Horse Science website. She enjoys teaching horse nutrition in a manner that relates the digestive physiology and nutritional needs of horses to objects and concepts used in everyday life.
Dr. Hoffman's research emphasizes carbohydrate fractions in feeds and forages with analysis relating to equine digestive physiology rather than plant chemistry. She is particularly interested in carbohydrate metabolism, glucose-insulin dynamics and insulin sensitivity in horses as related to diet, obesity, pregnancy, performance and disease. Her professional involvement includes service to state and national organizations, including the editorial board of the Journal of Animal Science and the Nutrition committee of the Equine Science Society.
CONTACT
School of Agribusiness and Agriscience
Middle Tennessee State University
Campus Box 5
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
OFFICES
Stark Agriculture Bldg, 110
Horse Science, 101G
SAG: (615) 898-2432
Fax: (615) 898-5169
HSC: (615) 904-8319
COURSES
ABAS 1410 Elements of Animal Science. Three credits. Types and breeds of beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, horses, swine, and poultry. A review of the science of animal production, including biological, physical and behavioral factors. Special emphasis on breeds adapted to Tennessee and to market classifications.
ABAS 3010 Agri-Media Skills. Three credits. Applications of oral and written skills in communicating about agricultural research, shows, and sales.
ABAS 3410 Development of Horse Breeds. Three credits. A review of the history of the horse from the prehistoric era to present day, with a focus on the development and contributions of horse breeds in the US and state horse industry. Roles of breed associations, principles of genetics, selection of desired traits, genetic abnormalities associated with specific breeds, and matching breeds to disciplines.
ABAS 3430 Horse Production. Three credits. Prerequisite: ABAS 2110 or ABAS 2400 or approval of instructor. Scientific principles relevant to production requirements of horses as related to exercise physiology and performance, growth, reproductive physiology and state, age and clinical support. Facilities management, marketing, legal aspects of horse ownership and career opportunities will also be covered in effort to link scientific aspects of horse production with practical applications in equine enterprises.
ABAS 3900 Horses and Horsemanship. Three credits. Covers the basic requirements of horse ownership, care and associated expenses, inherent risks and safety around horses, and resources available in the horse industry. For non-horse science majors.
ABAS 4440 Equine Nutrition and Feeding. Three credits. Prerequisites: ABAS 1410 and CHEM 1010 and CHEM 1020, or approval of instructor. The course will focus on equine digestion and utilization of nutrients, appropriate feeds and feeding management, and diseases with a nutritional component. Nutrient requirements for the horse at various stages, including maintenance, reproduction, growth, performance, age and clinical support will be discussed.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Refereed Papers with Original Data
Haffner, J., M. Wooten, D. Dunson, D. Bowers, and R. Hoffman. 2006. Case Study: The application of the self-adjusting palmar angle shoe for promotion of sole growth in horse feet. Prof. Anim. Sci. 22:463–466.
Hoffman, R. M., R. C. Boston, D. Stefanovski, D. S. Kronfeld , and P. A. Harris. 2003. Obesity and diet affect glucose dynamics and insulin sensitivity in Thoroughbred geldings. J. Anim. Sci. 81:2333 –2342.
Hoffman, R. M., D. S. Kronfeld , W. L. Cooper, and P. A. Harris. 2003. Glucose clearance in grazing mares is affected by diet, pregnancy and lactation. J. Anim. Sci. 81:1764–1771.
Hoffman, R. M., T. M. Hess, C. A. Williams, D. S. Kronfeld, K. M. Griewe-Crandell, J. E. Waldron, P. M. Graham-Thiers, L. S. Gay, R. K. Splan, K. E. Saker and P. A. Harris. 2002. Speed associated with plasma pH, oxygen content, total protein and urea in an 80 km race. Equine Vet. J. Suppl. 34:39–43.
Hoffman, R. M., J. A. Wilson, D. S. Kronfeld, W. L. Cooper, L. A. Lawrence, D. Sklan and P. A. Harris. 2001. Hydrolyzable carbohydrates in pasture, hay and horse feeds: direct assay and seasonal variation. J. Anim. Sci. 79:500–506.
Hoffman, R. M., L. A. Lawrence, D. S. Kronfeld, J. J. Dascanio, and W. L. Cooper. 1999. Dietary carbohydrates and fat influence radiographic bone mineral content of growing foals.J. Anim. Sci. 77:3330–3338.
Hoffman, R. M., D. S. Kronfeld, J. H. Herbein, W. S. Swecker, W. L. Cooper and P. A. Harris. 1998. Dietary carbohydrates and fat influence milk composition and fatty acid profile of mares' milk. J. Nutr. 128:2708S–2711S.
Hoffman, R. M., D. S. Kronfeld, L. A. Lawrence, W. L. Cooper, J. J. Dascanio and P. A. Harris. 1996. Dietary starch and sugar versus fat and fiber: growth and development of foals. Pferdeheilkunde 12:312–316.
Hoffman, R. M., D. S. Kronfeld, J. L. Holland, and K. M. Griewe-Crandell. 1995. Preweaning diet and stall weaning method influences on stress response in foals. J. Anim. Sci. 73:2922–2930.
Staniar, W. B., D. S. Kronfeld, R. M. Hoffman, J. A. Wilson, and P. A. Harris. 2004. Weight prediction from linear measures of growing Thoroughbreds. Equine Vet. J. 36:149–154.
Williams, C. A., D. S. Kronfeld, T. M. Hess, K. E. Saker, J. N. Waldron, K. M. Crandell, R. M. Hoffman, and P. A. Harris. 2004. Antioxidant supplementation and subsequent oxidative stress of horses during an 80-km endurance race. J. Anim. Sci. 82:588–594.
Williams, C. A. , R. M. Hoffman, D. S. Kronfeld, T. M. Hess, K. E. Saker and P. A. Harris. 2002. Lipoic acid as an antioxidant in mature Thoroughbred geldings: a preliminary study. J. Nutr. Suppl. 132:1628S–1631S.
Holland, J. L., D. S. Kronfeld, R. M. Hoffman, K. M. Griewe-Crandell, T. L. Boyd, W. L. Cooper, and P. A. Harris. 1996. Weaning stress is affected by nutrition and weaning methods. Pferdeheilkunde 12:257–260.
Martin, K. L., R. M. Hoffman, D. S. Kronfeld, W. B. Ley, and L. D. Warnick. 1996. Parathyroid hormone increases and calcium decreases in serum of periparturient mares. J. Anim. Sci. 74:834–839.
Book Chapters
Hoffman, R. M. Carbohydrate metabolism in horses. In: Recent Advances in Equine Nutrition 1. S. L. Ralston, and H. F. Hintz, eds. International Veterinary Information Service (www.ivis.org), Ithaca, NY .
Hoffman, R. M. and D. S. Kronfeld . 1999. Nutrient requirements for grazing horses: development of an optimal pasture supplement. Pages 19–37 in Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition. P. C. Garnsworthy, and J. Wiseman, ed. University of Nottingham Press, Loughborough, England .
Reviews
Hoffman, R. M. 2004. Carbohydrate nutrition for horses. Pages 21–37 in Proc. Conf. Equine Nutr. Research, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX .
Hoffman, R. M. 2000. Antioxidant vitamins for the horse, with an emphasis on vitamins E and C. Pages 1–7 in Proc. Cornell Conf. Feed Manuf., Ithaca, NY .
Hoffman, R. M. 2000. Optimal nutrition for grazing horses. Pages 89–99 in Proc. Cornell Conf. Feed Manuf., Ithaca, NY .
Lawrence, L. A., R. M. Hoffman, and D. S. Kronfeld. 1998. Chemical and mechanical properties of equine third metacarpals as affected by age and nutrition. Pages 25–32 in Proc. 17th Assoc. Equine Sports Med., Leesburg, VA.
Abstracts
Hoffman, R. M., J. C. Haffner, H. Eiler and K. Fecteau. 2007. The role of insulin resistance in carbohydrate-sensitive versus stress-induced laminitis in horses. Pages 106–107 in Proc. 20th Equine Science Society Symposium, Hunt Valley, MD. (Abstr.).
Brzezicki, A. M. and R. M. Hoffman. 2007. Stride length as a measure of learning in horsemanship students. Pages 213–214 in Proc. 20th Equine Science Society Symposium, Hunt Valley, MD. (Abstr.).
Hoffman, R. M. 2003. The ins and outs of digestive physiology: an equine nutrition teaching tool. Pages 333–334 in Proc. 18th Equine Nutr. Physiol. Soc., Lansing, MI .
Hoffman, R.M., T. M. Hess, C. A. Williams, D. S. Kronfeld, K. M. Griewe-Crandell, J. E. Waldron, P. M. Graham-Thiers, L. S. Gay, R. K. Splan, K. E. Saker, and P. A. Harris. 2002. Dietary grain and endurance exercise. J. Anim. Sci. 80(Suppl. 1):171. (Abstr.)
Hoffman, R. M., J. A. Wilson, L. A. Lawrence, D. S. Kronfeld, W. L. Cooper and P. A. Harris. 2001. Supplemental calcium does not influence radiographic bone mineral content of growing foals fed pasture and a fat-and-fiber supplement. Page 122 in Proc. 17th Equine Nutr. Physiol. Soc., Lexington, KY.
Hoffman, R. M., K. L. Morgan, A. Phillips, J. E. Dinger, S. A. Zinn and C. Faustman. 2001. Dietary vitamin E and ascorbic acid influence nutritional status of exercising polo ponies. Pages 129–130 in Proc. 17th Equine Nutr. Physiol. Soc., Lexington, KY.
Hoffman, R. M., K. L. Morgan, M. P. Lynch, S. A. Zinn, C. Faustman and P. A. Harris. 1999. Dietary vitamin E supplemented in the periparturient period influences immunoglobulins in equine colostrum and passive transfer in foals. Pages 96–97 in Proc. 16th Equine Nutr. Physiol. Soc., Raleigh, NC.
HONORS AND AWARDS
Diplomate of the American College of Animal Nutrition (ACAN), 2007-present.
Excellence in Presentations, MTSU College of Basic and Applied Sciences, 2007.
Outstanding Grantsmanship, MTSU College of Basic and Applied Sciences, 2004.
Most Valuable Asset Award, MTSU Equestrian Team, 2004.
Educator of the Year, Virginia Horse Council, 2002.
First Place Poster, Life Sciences Division, 13th Annual Virginia Tech Graduate Research Symposium, 1997.
John Lee Pratt Graduate Fellowship in Animal Nutrition, Virginia Tech, 1994–1997.
John Lee Pratt Graduate Assistantship in Animal Nutrition, Virginia Tech, 1992–1994.
Outstanding Senior in Agricultural Science, Truman State University, 1992.