Biting flies play a key role in the development of “summer sores”- non-healing skin lesions, characterized by intense itching and the formation of exuberant granulation tissue (proud flesh).
Stable flies will feed on blood from horses and practically any warm-blooded animal including humans, pets and other livestock. Their bites are very painful and can send a horse into a frenzy.
Horn flies feed on the shoulders, neck, withers and abdomen of horses. Horn flies often feed on the ventral midline and can be a cause of midline dermatitis - an inflammation of the skin characterized by extreme itching and irritation.