We put together this easy to read infographic for how to play horseshoe, but keep reading for further specifics below.
How to Play Horseshoe Infographic:

How to Win Horseshoes:
Setup horseshoes:
In the official horseshoes rules, the mens throwing line is drawn at the end of the horseshoe pit. This line is approx 37 feet away from the stake. The women’s line or line for those under 18 years old, is allowed to be 27 feet away from the stake. The throwing lines cannot be passed either by your hand or your foot. When throwing, stand on the pitchers platform, the 15″ platform that is on either side of the pit. For regulation games, the pitchers platform should extend from the pit to the 27 foot spot to accommodate for the womens line.
If building a horseshoe pit, the pit should be approximately 45 x 32 inches. Build a back board and side boards around the pit in a u-shape, to catch the horseshoe rebounds. Fill the pit with loose soil, but sand is recommended. On each side of the pit, is 2 boards measuring approx 15″ and called the pitchers platform.
How to Throw a Horseshoe
The team that won scored the most points in the round is the winning team going into the next round is the player that gets to play first.
There are a couple techniques to throw the horseshoes. The first is how to hold the horseshoe. Hold the horseshoe in the middle of the bottom of the horseshoe. Or hold it between you thumb and index fingers along one side of the horseshoe. When throwing, we like the technique of taking a step at the same time that you throw to get more momentum behind your throw.
How to Score
Here are the ways to score points in each round:
– Ringer = 3 points. Wrap the horseshoe around the stake for a ringer. In order to be qualified as a ringer, the horseshoe must fully wrap around the stake. You can measure this, by can you draw a line from the each end of the horseshoe without it touching the stake. This will measure that the horseshoe is “around” the stake.
– Closest horseshoe = 1 point. If there are no ringers in the pit, then the point is awarded to the horseshoe that is closest to the stake.
– Double points = 2 points. If both of your horseshoes are closest to the stake, and if the 2nd horseshoe is within 6 inches of the stake, will get 2 points. If you have a ringer, and your second horseshoe is within that 6 inches, you get 3 points for the ringer and 1 point for the closest ring. However, your opponent is the 2nd closest, you only receive the original points.
We would love to hear from you any variation rules to horseshoes that you play! Please comment below 🙂