Quittor, or Gravel 99 



QUITTOR 



Quittor is a name applied to a running sore or fistula 

 occurring 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 

 and 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. 



