Quittor, or Gravel 99 
QUITTOR 
(Juittor is a name applied to a running sore or fistula 
oveurring at the top of the hoof or coronet. It is 
sometimes called “gravel.” 
Quittors are the result of some injury, such as treads 
or calks of a mate, nail pricks in shoeing, “picking 
up a nail,” corns, or puncture of the sole of the foot 
that allows gravel or other foreign bodies to get in and 
injure the soft tissues. 
In the early stages, soon after the injury and while 
pus is forming, there is severe lameness. The pus, 
unable to break through the horny hoof, works its way 
to the top and there breaks and discharges. In many 
cases, the part heals without any treatment, but in 
others, a chronic running sore forms. In the chronic 
form the horse may not be very lame 
In the early stages of the quittor, pull off the shoe 
aud apply a good poultice, spread on a strong piece of 
cloth. By tying it above the hoof, it can be kept on 
for two days, but it should be changed frequently. 
Apply the poultice as hot as the animal can bear it, and 
when removed finally the foot should be washed and 
greased. As soon as pus has formed, the sore should be 
opened and washed out with a good antiseptic. Pure 
tincture of iodine should be injected twice a week, and 
the fistula washed out every other day with warm water 
to which is added a mild antiseptic. The treatment 
is the same as for a fistula of the withers. Quittors of 
long standing may have to be operated upon surgically 
to remove diseased tissues, before they will heal, 
