Abstract: An equine athletic boot includes a panel of shock absorbing material that is wrapped around the lower leg of a horse above and below the fetlock. The panel is shaped in such a way that when so wrapped, the lower end of the boot is higher on the front side of the leg to allow full forward extension of the pastern, and slants down and below the fetlock for full protection thereof. Carried by the panel is an inflatable U-shaped tubular bladder. When the boot is properly positioned on the leg, the two vertical portions of the bladder align with the indentations formed between the flexor tendons and canon bone. When inflated, the bladder fills the forementioned indentations resulting in substantially uniform pressure around the full circumference of the leg. In addition, the closed end of the U-shaped bladder is disposed underneath the fetlock providing support and protection of the seismoid bones.