How to Play Horseshoes

Got a stick and some old horseshoes lying around the backyard? Turn it into a fun and competitive game of horseshoe and challenge your friends. The following guidelines for this traditional American pastime have been adapted from the official rules of the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association of America.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 2 Horseshoe Stakes
• 4 Horseshoes
• Scoreboards

1. See related eHow: "Set Up a Horseshoe Court" for setup instructions.

2. Divide players into two even teams, and give each team two horseshoes.

3. Flip a coin to decide which team will pitch first.

4. Have the first player from the first team pitch both horseshoes (one at a time) from anywhere behind the foul line.

5. Let the first player from the opposing team do the same, pitching toward the same stake.

6. Award 1 point for a shoe within 6 inches of the stake, or for a shoe touching the stake(often called a "leaner"); a shoe encircling the stake (a "ringer") earns 3 points. Often, amateurs choose to award 2 points for leaners.

7. Let the next two players (one from each team) pitch the shoes from the opposite side of the court back toward your side. Add their points to the first scores.

8. Alternate pitching from one end of the court to the other until all players have pitched. This constitutes an "inning."

9. Play until one team has at least 40 points at the end of an inning (for a point-limit game) or until 40 shoes have been pitched (for a shoe-limit game, in which the team with the highest score wins).

10. Play extra innings in the event of a tie.

Tips & Warnings

• For adult males, the foul line is 37 feet from the target stake. For female, junior and elderly players, the foul line is 27 feet from the target stake.

• A shoe is considered a ringer if a straight edge touching the two ends of the shoe clears (but doesn't touch) the stake. A shoe that's more than 6 inches away from the stake is worth no points.

• There are many variations of the rules in non-professional play.

• If you have any condition that would impair or limit your ability to engage in physical activity, please consult a physician before attempting this activity. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.