A recent edition of the “MTSU On the Record” radio program dug into the feedbag in search of interesting developments in equine nutrition.

Host Gina Logue’s interview with Dr. Rhonda Hoffman, professor of horse science in MTSU’s School of Agribusiness and Agriscience, first aired Jan. 12 on WMOT-FM (89.5 and www.wmot.org ). You can listen to their conversation here.

Dr. Rhonda Hoffman

Hoffman was a consultant on carbohydrate nutrition for a study conducted at the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil. The researchers found that citrus pulp could make up as much as 28 percent of a horse’s diet.

A byproduct of Brazil’s orange juice industry, citrus pulp is inexpensive and readily available.

The horses in the study found it both palatable and easily digestible, and none rejected the pulp.

“To me, that’s kind of surprising, because I cannot imagine (the horses) eating orange peel, even ground up in small amounts, unless you added a whole bunch of sugar,” said Hoffman.

“And they had no molasses or sugar added to this.”

To hear previous “MTSU On the Record” programs, visit the searchable “Audio Clips” archives at www.mtsunews.com.

For more information about “MTSU On the Record,” contact Logue at 615-898-5081 or WMOT-FM at 615-898-2800.

A video clip of the interview is available below.