A hoof boot has a base, a heel captivator, and a pivoting mechanism that disposesthe heel captivator to pivot relative to the base, preferably in a manner thatallows the heel captivator at least three degrees of freedom of movement relativeto the base. The heel captivator is preferably low in the rearmost portion, whichprovides clearance for the pastern bones of the equine lower leg to descend uponweight bearing during movement at various gaits. To reduce the possibility forbruising and chaffing of soft tissue around the pastern bones, and to help eliminateaccumulation of debris, preferred heel captivators have an open mesh architecture.Heel captivators can alternatively or additionally be designed with fabriccovered neoprene or other liners. Boots are preferably tightened using mechanicallyadvantages laces.
