Dr. John C. Haffner
Associate Professor

Departments / Programs
Degree Information
- DVM, University of Tennessee, Knoxville (1982)
- BSA, University of Tennessee, Knoxville (1979)
Areas of Expertise
Memberships and Appointments:
American Veterinary Medicine Association: member
American Board of Veterinary Practitioners: Diplomate in Equine Practice (1997-2017)
American Association of Equine Practitioners member
Middle Tennessee Academy of Equine Practitioners: President, 2014-2016
MTSU Agribusiness and Agriscience: Associate Professor
Mongolian School of Veterinary Medicine: Adjunct Professor
MTSU Institutional Animal care and Use Commi...
Memberships and Appointments:
American Veterinary Medicine Association: member
American Board of Veterinary Practitioners: Diplomate in Equine Practice (1997-2017)
American Association of Equine Practitioners member
Middle Tennessee Academy of Equine Practitioners: President, 2014-2016
MTSU Agribusiness and Agriscience: Associate Professor
Mongolian School of Veterinary Medicine: Adjunct Professor
MTSU Institutional Animal care and Use Committee: Attending Veterinarian
Research supported by John C. Miller Chair of Equine Reproduction
Establishing Normal Blood Steroid Concentrations in Mongolian Horses
Influence of dietary fat source on reproductive parameters in mares
Establishing normal hematological parameters for Mongolian Horses
Effect of short term intermittent turnout on bone density loss caused by stalling
Effect of vibration plate therapy on bone density
Investigation of the DMRT3 gene in the Mongolian Domestic Horse
The Application of the Self Adjusting Palmar Angle Shoe for the Promotion of Sole Growth in Horse Feet
Effect of a Single Dose of Dexamethasone on Glucose Homeostasis
Research Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc.
Comparison of Resting ACTH and Dynamic ACTH Evaluation During Autumn and Non-Autumn Seasons in a Single Herd of Aged Horses
Management of Early Cases of Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction
Management of early cases of PPID in horses
Changes in adrenocorticotropic hormone levels in equine blood samples with varying durations prior to centrifugation
Seasonal Effects of Resting ACTH in Donkeys
The Effect of Trailering and Dentistry on Resting Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Concentration in Horses
The Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone Procedure Produces Repeatable ACTH Concentrations In PPID-Negative and PPID-Positive Horses
Duration of Effectiveness of Frozen/thawed Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone To Stimulate ACTH Release in Horses
Selected Publications:
Haffner, J.C., Fecteau, K.A., Eiler, H., Tserendorj, T., Hoffman, R.M., and Oliver, J.W. Blood Steroid Concentrations in Domestic Mongolian Horses. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation. 22:537-543. 2010
Haffner, J.C., Fecteau, K.A., Eiler, H., Tserendorj, T., Hoffman, R.M., and Oliver, J.W. Effect of a single dose of dexamethasone on glucose homeostasis in healthy horses by using the combined intravenous glucose and insulin test. J Animal Science vol. 87 no. 1 131-135. 2008
Haffner JC, Eiler H, Fecteau KA, Oliver, JW, Hoffman RM. Combined intravenous glucose-insulin test in horses: effect of a single dose of dexamethasone on glucose homeostasis and laminitis risk. Proceedings of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum, Seattle, Washington. June 2007, p.602 (Abstract).
Haffner J, Wooten M, Dunson D, Bowers D, Hoffman R. Case Study: The Application of the Self-adjusting Palmar Angle Shoe for the Promotion of Sole Growth in Horse Feet. The Professional Animal Scientist 22 (2006):463-466.
Haffner J, Juergens T, Adilbish M, Establishing Normal Hematological for Mongolian Domestic Horses. Mongolian Veterinary Medicine, 2006 Serial 2 p.15-16.
Haffner JC, Fecteau KA, and Eiler H. Inhibition of Collagenase Breakdown of Equine Corneas by Tetanus Antitoxin, Equine Serum, and Acetylcysteine. Veterinary Ophthalmology. 2003 Mar;6(1) p.67-72.
Haffner JC, Fecteau KA, Held JP, Eiler H. Equine retained placenta: technique for and tolerance to umbilical artery injections of collagenase. Theriogenology. 1998 Mar;49(4):711-6.
Frank LA, Haffner JC, Jull BA. Diffuse systemic sclerosis in a Paso Fino mare. Compend. Cont. Ed. Pract. Vet. 2000 Mar;22(3):274-6.
Fecteau KA, Haffner JC, Eiler H. The potential of collagenase as a new therapy for separation of human retained placenta: hydrolytic potency on human, equine and bovine placentae. Placenta. 1998 Jul-Aug;19(5-6):379-83.
Biography
Dr. Haffner is a native of Middle Tennessee. He graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in 1982. He has been a follower of Jesus Christ since 1987. He practiced equine medicine in the middle Tennessee area for several years and in 2003 joined MTSU where he currently works.
Publications
John C. Haffner, Dwana L. Neal, Rhonda M. Hoffman, Steven T.Grubbs, Plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone concentration in horses decreases after freezing for 60 days. J Vet Diagn Invest. 2019 in press
Kayla N. Shepard, John C. Haffner,1 Dwana L. Neal, Steven T. Grubbs, Greg L. Pearce, Effect of delayed plasma centrifugation on equine adrenocorticotropic hormone concentration. J Vet Diagn Invest. 2019 June;31(4):585-7.
Turner, T.A., Turoff, D.R., Haffner,J.C. Si...
Read More »John C. Haffner, Dwana L. Neal, Rhonda M. Hoffman, Steven T.Grubbs, Plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone concentration in horses decreases after freezing for 60 days. J Vet Diagn Invest. 2019 in press
Kayla N. Shepard, John C. Haffner,1 Dwana L. Neal, Steven T. Grubbs, Greg L. Pearce, Effect of delayed plasma centrifugation on equine adrenocorticotropic hormone concentration. J Vet Diagn Invest. 2019 June;31(4):585-7.
Turner, T.A., Turoff, D.R., Haffner,J.C. Simplified Castration with the Equitwister. Proceedings American Association of Equine Practitioners Annual Conference. Las Vegas, Nevada, 2015. pp. 329-331.
Crain C.M., Haffner J.C., Hoffman R.M., Spooner H.S., Influence of dietary oil source on reproductive parameters in mares Journal Equine Veterinary Science Vol.35, Issue 5, May 2015, page 444. Proceedings of 2015 Equine Society Symposium.
Haffner, J.C., Fecteau, K.A., Eiler, H., Tserendorj, T., Hoffman, R.M., and Oliver, J.W. Blood Steroid Concentrations in Domestic Mongolian Horses. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation. 22:537-543. 2010
Haffner, J.C., Fecteau, K.A., Eiler, H., Tserendorj, T., Hoffman, R.M., and Oliver, J.W. Effect of a single dose of dexamethasone on glucose homeostasis in healthy horses by using the combined intravenous glucose and insulin test. J Animal Science vol. 87 no. 1 131-135. 2008
Haffner JC, Eiler H, Fecteau KA, Oliver, JW, Hoffman RM. Combined intravenous glucose-insulin test in horses: effect of a single dose of dexamethasone on glucose homeostasis and laminitis risk. Proceedings of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum, Seattle, Washington. June 2007, p.602 (Abstract).
Haffner J, Wooten M, Dunson D, Bowers D, Hoffman R. Case Study: The Application of the Self-adjusting Palmar Angle Shoe for the Promotion of Sole Growth in Horse Feet. The Professional Animal Scientist 22 (2006):463-466.
Haffner J, Juergens T, Adilbish M, Establishing Normal Hematological for Mongolian Domestic Horses. Mongolian Veterinary Medicine, 2006 Serial 2 p.15-16.
Haffner JC, Fecteau KA, and Eiler H. Inhibition of Collagenase Breakdown of Equine Corneas by Tetanus Antitoxin, Equine Serum, and Acetylcysteine. Veterinary Ophthalmology. 2003 Mar;6(1) p.67-72.
Haffner JC, Fecteau KA, Held JP, Eiler H. Equine retained placenta: technique for and tolerance to umbilical artery injections of collagenase. Theriogenology. 1998 Mar;49(4):711-6.
Frank LA, Haffner JC, Jull BA. Diffuse systemic sclerosis in a Paso Fino mare. Compend. Cont. Ed. Pract. Vet. 2000 Mar;22(3):274-6.
Fecteau KA, Haffner JC, Eiler H. The potential of collagenase as a new therapy for separation of human retained placenta: hydrolytic potency on human, equine and bovine placentae. Placenta. 1998 Jul-Aug;19(5-6):379-83.
Presentations
2019 Mongolia VetNET Fast Horse Seminar Ulannabaatar, Mongolia:
Equine Dourine
Equine Colic
Diagnosis and Treatment of the dehydrated horse
2018 American Association of Equine Practitoners Annual Conference, San Francisco: Online Survey: Evisceration Post Equine Castration with Evaluation of Independent Variables of Method, Position and Breed
2018 American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum, ...
Read More »2019 Mongolia VetNET Fast Horse Seminar Ulannabaatar, Mongolia:
Equine Dourine
Equine Colic
Diagnosis and Treatment of the dehydrated horse
2018 American Association of Equine Practitoners Annual Conference, San Francisco: Online Survey: Evisceration Post Equine Castration with Evaluation of Independent Variables of Method, Position and Breed
2018 American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum, Seattle, Washington: Effects of Freezing on Measurement of Plasma Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Concentrations in Horses (poster)
2017: ACVIM Forum Washington D.C.: Does Vaccinating Mares Prior to Parturition Increase Colostral Antibody Transfer to Foals? (poster)
2017: 39th Annual Morehead Clinic Days Veterinary Conference presentation: Equine Castration. Morehead, Kentucky.
2017: 39th Annual Morehead Clinic Days Veterinary Conference presentation: Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction. Morehead, Kentucky.
Awards
2019: Dr. Haffner was recognized in 2019 by the Mongolian Ministry of Agriculture for his work with Mongolian veterinarians and veterinary students over the last 20 years and was awarded the distinct honor of “Lead Professional of Agriculture and Food Industry,” which is one of the highest awards granted by the Mongolian Ministry of Agriculture.
Research / Scholarly Activity
Research supported by John C. Miller Chair of Equine Reproduction
Establishing Normal Blood Steroid Concentrations in Mongolian Horses
Influence of dietary fat source on reproductive parameters in mares
Establishing normal hematological parameters for Mongolian Horses
Effect of short term intermittent turnout on bone density loss caused by stalling
Effect of vibration plate therapy on bone density
Investigation of the DMRT3 gene in the Mongolian ...
Research supported by John C. Miller Chair of Equine Reproduction
Establishing Normal Blood Steroid Concentrations in Mongolian Horses
Influence of dietary fat source on reproductive parameters in mares
Establishing normal hematological parameters for Mongolian Horses
Effect of short term intermittent turnout on bone density loss caused by stalling
Effect of vibration plate therapy on bone density
Investigation of the DMRT3 gene in the Mongolian Domestic Horse
The Application of the Self Adjusting Palmar Angle Shoe for the Promotion of Sole Growth in Horse Feet
Effect of a Single Dose of Dexamethasone on Glucose Homeostasis
Research Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc.
Comparison of Resting ACTH and Dynamic ACTH Evaluation During Autumn and Non-Autumn Seasons in a Single Herd of Aged Horses
Management of Early Cases of Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction
Management of early cases of PPID in horses
Changes in adrenocorticotropic hormone levels in equine blood samples with varying durations prior to centrifugation
Seasonal Effects of Resting ACTH in Donkeys
Duration of Effectiveness of Frozen/thawed Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone To Stimulate ACTH Release in Horses
The Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone Procedure Produces Repeatable ACTH Concentrations In PPID-Negative and PPID-Positive Horses
The Effect of Trailering and Dentistry on Resting Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Concentration in Horses
Creative Activity
Developed a simplied instrument for equine castration
Courses
ABAS 3300: Equine Health
ABAS 3310: Animal Care and Welfare
ABAS 3440: Livestock Management
ABAS 4090: Equine Reproduction and Breeding