A horse boot includes the combination of an inner liner (10 and 10′) and an outer shell (12). The liner is adapted to wrap around the front and lateral surfaces of the hoof of the horse, while the shell includes an upper (16) designed to conform with the exterior surface of the liner for attachment to it. The shell is fastened to the liner by some detachable means, such as nuts (22) and bolts (20), and the liner/shell assembly is glued to the hoof. The shell may then be removed at will to allow the hoof to be barefoot and may be re-installed to produce a boot in place when desired.