BMC® (Buffered Mineral Complex) is a natural mineral source that is high in bioavailable minerals including calcium, magnesium, boron, silicone, iodine, zinc, and manganese. BMC® is used in all of the specialist feeds in our racing range following extensive research by Kentucky Equine Research (KER) into the positive effects on digestive health and bone development.
BMC® and Bone Development
Research into racehorses in training supplemented with Triacton, a supplement containing BMC® plus other key vitamins, was proven effective at increasing bone density after just 90 days of supplementation. Feeding Triacton increased the density of the dorsal cortex of the cannon bone by three-fold whilst also doubling bone thickness and increasing bone area.
BMC® and Digestive Health
BMC® has a high buffering capacity making it an important supplement, particularly for horses in training and those undergoing sales prep where hard feed intake increases and forage intake decreases. Horses in training are more likely to suffer from gastric ulceration, but BMC® is proven to double the buffering capacity of the stomach after feeding. BMC® is present in every meal of all Saracen Thoroughbred Specialist Feeds.
The prevalence of ulcers is understandably high for horses in training, which results in the frequent use of omeprazole. Researchers found that omeprazole reduced calcium digestibility in mature horses by nearly 18%, but did not affect the digestibility of other nutrients. Horses routinely receiving omeprazole should have their calcium intake reviewed and may benefit from a marine-derived calcium source, which is more digestible than calcium carbonate.
BMC® also supports hindgut health through buffering acidity found within the hindgut. As thoroughbred diets require a higher intake of hard feed to meet elevated nutrient requirements, the risk for hindgut acidosis is higher. Changes in hindgut pH negatively affect the bacteria that reside in the hindgut and are responsible for digestion. By helping to maintain the optimum pH for beneficial bacteria BMC® supports digestive function. BMC® is proven to increase the buffering capacity of the hindgut by 54%.
