How serious are horse bugs bites?
Bug bites, and the related allergic reaction to bug bites in
horses is typically not a serious condition. Many horses have bug
bite allergies, most commonly to various species flies and gnats
from the cullicoides family. Small, swollen, itchy bumps; excessive
itchiness (puritis), and the resulting hair loss and
lichenification or thickening of the skin are all non-serious, but
annoying conditions that affect horses with fly allergies. Hives
are also a normal allergic reaction to bug bites in horses and are
also not considered serious. The only bug bite reactions in horses
that should be considered serious and require veterinary attention
are ones that affect the horses ability to breathe. If the hives
are located in a place where it makes it difficult for the horse to
breathe, this would be a serious condition. But, the presence of
hives (even if they are really large) is not serious.