Anthelmintic resistance in cyathostomins is escalating worldwide, threatening equine health and highlighting the need for sustainable, ecology‑based parasite control strategies. Chicory ( Cichorium intybus, Puna II ) has emerged as a promising antiparasitic forage, yet its broader effects on the equine holobiont, parasites, microbiota, and host physiology remain poorly understood. We conducted a 32‑day longitudinal grazing trial in young horses to assess how chicory affects parasitological outcomes, gut microbial ecology, nemabiome composition, behaviour, and host physiological and immune responses. Twenty-six naturally infected Anglo-Arabian horses were monitored weekly, with 13 grazing a chicory-based sward and 13 grazing a permanent pasture. Clinical parameters, body weight, and serum biochemistry remained stable across treatments, indicating that chicory was well tolerated. Immune profiles showed limited variation, although IL‑10 increased in chicory‑fed horses, suggesting subtle immune modulation. Behavioural observations revealed no signs of discomfort and indicated slightly enhanced social interactions in the chicory group. Chicory grazing produced a marked reduction in cyathostomin egg excretion, accompanied by species‑specific shifts in nemabiome composition. Several cyathostomin taxa, including Cylicocyclus ashworthi, C. leptostomus, and C. nassatus , declined in chicory‑fed horses, whereas certain Cylicostephanus spp increased, indicating differential sensitivity rather than uniform suppression. Concomitantly, chicory induced profound ecological changes in the gut microbiota, including reduced alpha diversity, increased beta dispersion, and destabilised individual microbial trajectories. Several bacterial lineages, particularly Oscillospiraceae, Clostridiaceae, Lachnospiraceae , and Bacteroidales, were differentially enriched, reflecting a functional reorganisation of the intestinal ecosystem. Together, these findings demonstrate that chicory reduces parasite fitness, reshapes nemabiome composition, and alters gut microbial ecology while maintaining host physiological stability. Chicory thus emerges as a promising ecological tool for parasite control, capable of modulating the equine holobiont in ways that complement and potentially reduce reliance on conventional anthelmintic strategies. However, because its effects on gut microbial ecology remain uncertain, and may include shifts resembling dysbiosis, future studies are needed to monitor microbial dynamics more closely and clarify the long‑term ecological consequences of chicory grazing.
The emergence of anthelmintic-resistant parasite isolates necessitates alternative control strategies. The use of dietary additives with anti-parasitic or immunomodulatory activities has been proposed as a solution, but whether such additives can simultaneously exert dual bioactivities within this context has rarely been explored. Here, we evaluated whether selected terpenes could exert dual bioactivities (anti-parasitic and immunomodulatory) with a view to their use as food additives that can limit strongyle infections in horses. In vitro tests with cyathostomin larval development, larval migration, and immune modulation showed that cinnamaldehyde and carvacrol possessed high activity, and nemabiome analysis revealed that both compounds modulated cyathostomin community structure. Moreover, they also displayed significant anti-inflammatory activity in equine mononuclear cells and modulated gene expression induced by parasite antigen in monocytes, including an upregulation of an antioxidant defense network. However, no effects of cinnamaldehyde were observed on parasite egg excretion or host blood cell profiles during a 28 day in vivo feeding study. These data suggest that whilst terpenes have broad-acting bioactivities, gaps between in vitro properties and in vivo efficacy need to be overcome to realize their potential to improve host resistance to parasites.
Aim: Self-organization in sport and leisure activities has increased in recent years but remains relatively unknown. This trend is also evident in equestrian activities, generating economic and societal challenges for institutions and professionals of the sector. Self-organization refers to the independent management of one or more tasks that could otherwise be subcontracted. For some practitioners, it is the result of a mismatch between their demand and the supply of available services. To better understand the determinants of equestrian self-organization, this article examines the consumer value associated with this choice.Question: The sports service, unlike material goods, involves an immaterial exchange contract requiring consumer participation. In this context, this article analyses the value components of sports self-organization, in the case of equestrian activities. Additionally, this exploratory research aims to understand which value components influence the overall value of self-organization and whether this overall value is also influenced by attachment to the animal and self-efficacy. Methodology: The methodology is based on a quantitative survey conducted online via social networks (Facebook, X - Twitter and Instagram) over six months in 2021, in France with 615 respondents. Structural equation models are used in the analysis. Results: The results reveal that attachment to the animal, self-efficacy, economic value, hedonic value, and ethical value associated with well-being are pivotal elements in the value of equestrian self-organization. Additionally, a novel component, transmission value, has been identified. This study also explores the influence of the perceived risk of error in equestrian self-organization. Originality: These findings offer insights for developing new managerial strategies for self-organized users, both in equestrian activities and the broader sports sector. This involves considering the consumers’ expectations of a practice that can be shared with loved ones and that is consistent with each parties' ethical concerns. Objectifs : L'auto-organisation dans les activités sportives et de loisirs a récemment augmenté mais reste peu connue. Cette tendance est la même dans les activités équestres, générant des enjeux économiques et sociétaux pour les institutions et les professionnels du secteur. L'autoorganisation consiste en l'organisation quotidienne, en autonomie, d'une ou plusieurs tâches qui pourraient être sous-traitées. Elle est la conséquence, pour certains pratiquants, d'une inadéquation entre leur demande et l'offre de services disponible. Afin de mieux comprendre les déterminants de l'auto-organisation équestre, cet article étudie la valeur de consommation associée à ce choix organisationnel. Problématique : Le service sportif, dissocié du bien matériel, est un contrat d'échange immatériel qui requiert la participation du consommateur. Dans ce contexte, cet article analyse les composantes de la valeur de l'auto-organisation sportive. En outre, cette recherche exploratoire vise à comprendre quelles composantes de la valeur influencent la valeur globale de l'auto-organisation, dans le cas des activités équestres, et si cette valeur globale est aussi influencée par l'attachement à l'animal et l'auto-efficacité. Méthodologie : La méthodologie repose sur une enquête quantitative réalisée en ligne via les réseaux sociaux (Facebook, X -Twitter et Instagram) pendant six mois en 2021, en France auprès de 615 répondants. L'analyse effectuée mobilise des modèles d'équations structurelles. Résultats : Les résultats montrent que l'attachement à l'animal, l'auto-efficacité, la valeur économique, la valeur hédonique, la valeur éthique liée au bien-être sont des composantes clés de la valeur de l'auto-organisation équestre. De plus, une nouvelle composante est mise en évidence par la valeur de transmission. Cette étude explore aussi l'effet des risques d'erreur perçus dans l'auto-organisation équestre. Originalité : Ces résultats ouvrent des perspectives pour de nouvelles stratégies managériales à destination des usagers auto-organisés, dans les activités équestres et plus généralement dans le domaine du sport, impliquant notamment une prise en compte des souhaits pour une pratique permettant une transmission à ses proches et un alignement avec ses préoccupations éthiques.
The carbon footprint of academia has become a prominent concern and a burgeoning research area, with a notable focus on greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from research-related travels. Mitigation strategies often promote alternatives, such as developing virtual communication or adopting sustainable transportation modes for short distances. While more ambitious strategies involving the transformation of research practices are increasingly discussed, these mitigation solutions are rarely subjected to rigorous quantitative assessments or meaningful comparisons. This study analyzes a unique database of about 130 000 travel segments by car, train and plane in 159 research entities across a wide array of disciplines in France. We investigate the patterns and associated carbon footprint of these research travels and explore a diversity of mitigation options. Our analysis shows that air travel overwhelmingly outweighs the carbon footprint of research travel, representing more than 96% of GHG emissions. Intercontinental flights are infrequent (less than 10% of all plane trips) but dominate GHG travel emissions, accounting for over 64% of total emissions. In contrast, domestic and continental flights are the most common but their mitigation potential by modal shift to train is limited (e.g. less than 15% for trips under 1000 km). Similar reductions can be achieved by targeting a small subset of travels, for example by modulating the frequency of conference attendance. The greatest and possibly most robust mitigation potential lies in combining modal shift with moderating air mileage (e.g. reducing travelled distance or number of flights). Strategies focusing on electrification or modal shifts for cars, proposed in official guidelines, are found to have negligible impact. In the absence of low-carbon alternatives for long-haul flights, we contend that only comprehensive strategies and policies which include moderating air travel distance or frequency can achieve a robust significant reduction in the GHG emissions from academic travel.
Le plateau technique de Chamberet a mesuré l’évolution du poids et de l’état corporel de chevaux nourris à l’herbe sur trois ans (de 2018 à 2020). La quantité d’herbe ingérée par ces chevaux a été estimée grâce à la quantité d’herbe disparue (QHD ; en kg de matière sèche/cheval/jour). Une corrélation négative entre la QHD et le gain moyen quotidien (GMQ ; en kg/j) a été démontrée, mais l’étude n’a pas révélé de corrélation entre la QHD et la note d’état corporel (NEC). Une augmentation et une diminution de la NEC respectivement en début et en fin de saison de pâturage ont été observées. L’étude statistique a également permis d’observer un effet de l’âge des animaux au pâturage sur les valeurs de GMQ et de NEC
