Horseshoes

Horseshoes continues to grow in popularity every year, mostly because the game can played by almost anyone or even alone. The game of horseshoes is not only inexpensive but also portable and can be quickly setup and played in campgrounds, beaches and backyards. Over the years the rules have changed a bit to make the game more fun and exciting. For example, the stakes used to only stick out of the ground a couple inches and now the correct hieght for the stakes is 14. The distance between the stakes has also changed a little as well as the design and weights of the horseshoes.

Horseshoe Pitching
The standard North American game of horseshoes consists of two "pitching boxes" which are 6' x 6' square.

Each Pitching Box consists of the following:

• The Pit - A smaller rectangle which measures 3' by 6' feet.
• The Stake - In the middle of each pit is a metal stake one inch in diameter sticking up fifteen inches above the surface and inclined about three inches from the vertical towards the thrower. The stakes are exactly 40 feet apart.
• Pitching Platform - 18" wide x 6' long. The pitching platforms are where the players toss the horseshoes from. These are on both sides of the pit.
• Extended Pitching Platform - An option extension to the pitching platform can be used for children is usually extended 10' closer to the opposing pit.
• The Backboard - A backboard or backstop is usually installed behind the Pitching Box to block wildly thrown horseshoes. Once a horseshoe hits the backboard it is no longer in play.

Horseshoes can be any size in informal games but league competitions will have regulations. Typical strict rules would be that each horseshoe should weigh around two pounds eight ounces, be seven and five eighths inches long, seven inches wide and the gap should be three and a half inches wide.

The Play
A coin is tossed to decide who starts, play alternated after the first player or team throws. The first player throws both horseshoes at the opposite stake one after the other. The second player then does the same thing. The score for the end is then calculated and the players play the next end by reversing direction and throwing at the other stake.

Horseshoe Scoring:
Ringer: (3 points) Any horsehoe that completely surrounds the stake.
If there is some doubt as to whether or not a horseshoe qualifies as a ringer, a straight edge should be placed against the open end of the horseshoe. If straight edge doesn't touch the stake, a ringer is scored.

Nearest Horseshoe: (1point)
If no ringer is thrown, the nearest horseshoe to the stake counts for 1 point. Horseshoes must be closer to the stake than your show is wide in order to score a point.

Cancelled out:
If both players throw a ringer, the ringers are cancelled out and the nearest of the other two horseshoes scores one point.

6 Pack:
A player achieves two ringers and the other player manages none, six points are scored.

The first player to reach 21 point wins.