Frequent use of repellents and ear nets also help control the attacks. Applying petroleum jelly inside the ears after clipping may help, too. Midges feed by inflicting painful bites which causes extreme itching, usually along the base of the tail, mane and withers. Because the horse gets so itchy, he may rub his mane and tail down to bleeding skin. This condition may also involve the horse's chest underside and face.
Midges prefer areas of high humidity such as damp pastures or edges of ponds.
Like deer flies, they feed at dusk. Stabling horses at peak midge feeding times and placing a fan outside of the stall will help, as well as placing mosquito netting or screening over stalls. Horses suffering from hypersensitivity reaction may require treatment by a veterinarian. Horn flies are small, biting flies associated with cattle, but are frequently found feeding on the abdominal midlines of horses, particularly those pastured near cattle. Both male and female horn flies are blood feeders and take 20 to 30 meals per day.