6-8mm with an overall brown appearance and a pale short creamy central stripe on the thorax behind the head. It has a characteristic proboscis which protrudes forward from its head.

• rigid proboscis
• arista with hairs above, bare below
• palps short and straight (not inflated at the end)

As the name suggests, this fly is found near to horses and other agricultural animals.

Most of the year.

Adults are active during the day when they search out a host which they will bite in order to feed on the blood. It reproduces in rotting straw and other decaying vegetation.

Widespread and common in England and Wales.

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland