How to Build a Regulation Horseshoe Pit

Horseshoes is a fun game of skill that can be enjoyed by the entire family. Players stand at opposite ends of a horseshoe pit and throw horseshoes, attempting to land the horseshoe around a pole at the opposite end of the playing field. A regulation horseshoe pit contains many specific dimensions that you'll need to adhere to when constructing the playing court.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Metal poles
• Plywood sheets
• Measuring tape
• Wooden strips

1. Construct the backboards. These should be cut from plywood sheets, and must be equal in size. The backboards should measure 14 inches in height and 36 inches in width. The backboards should be placed 48 feet apart, facing each other, on level ground. This will determine the overall length of your horseshoe pit.

2. Mark out the edges of the playing field. The distance from the backboard to the outer edges of the pit should be 18 inches. This means that the total playing field will measure 72 inches by 48 feet. The playing field should end up looking like a rectangle. If the terrain doesn't permit this sort of exactness, try to make the field as rectangular as possible.

3. Choose metal poles that are at least 18 inches in length. The poles must be sturdy and capable of withstanding the brute force of heavy horseshoes being thrown directly at them from a distance. Each of the two poles should be planted in the ground exactly 4 feet from the backboard in the direction of the center of the pit. 15 inches of the pole should be protruding from the ground.

4. Angle the pole slightly toward the center of the playing field. The top of the pole should be exactly 3 inches closer to the center of the field than the base of the pole. This will make it slightly more challenging to get a "ringer." The poles should be in line with the center of each backboard.

5. Mark the foul lines, indicating how far forward players may stand when throwing the horseshoes. These lines should be exactly 3 feet in front of each pole. Mark the scoring area around each pole. This should be a square measuring 36 inches on each side, perfectly in line with the backboard. The pole should be centered in the middle of the scoring area.

Tips & Warnings

• Build your horseshoe pit on a soft, grassy surface. This will make the game far less noisy than playing on concrete.
• Don't forget to measure the distance between the poles when you're finished, as this is the most important aspect of a regulation pit. This distance should measure exactly 40 feet from the base of one pole to the next.

References

• Horseshoes Pit Dimensions Diagram

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!