Bug in my horse's neck?

So i was up at the barn brushing my Arab and on her neck i found a bug that had burrowed its self into my horses neck on the right side about 2in down from the crest and 6in down from her ear. It had wings and it was really really tiny. Im wondering if a tick could have gotten in there and burrowed a hole and another but just took advantage of the opening or something! It was the weirdest thing i had ever seen and ive seen a lot of strange things on horses! Could this just be another breed of bug? We had to go in with a pair of tweezers and pull it out, and it wasnt easy! We pulled the bug part but it wouldnt let go! We had to pull part of her skin apart to get all of it out! We put some goop stuff on it so it would heal up, but im wondering if anyone has ever had something like this happen. My horse is boarded in Springfield, OR. So its not like she is way out in the country or anything. But it was just awful! I would have taken a picture of it to post but we were a lil worried about getting it out of her first. Any comments or suggestions would help! Thanx sooo much! Well... i guess i know why she was being a lil brat these past days! With a bug burrowed into her neck i would be to! =)