How to Make Hillbilly Horseshoes

Instead of traditional horseshoes, Hillbilly Horseshoes uses galvanized steel washers to score points.

Hillbilly Horseshoes, also known as Texas, Redneck or Polish Horseshoes, is a type of team horseshoes games that uses a frame, plywood board and steel washers instead of horseshoes to score points. Hillbilly horseshoes is a popular game for a backyard or campground and can be easily transported and carried on site for game play. With the correct materials and set-up, you can make Hillbilly Horseshoes to play for your next outdoor get-together.

Things You'll Need

• 2 2x4x10 boards
• 4x8x5/8 plywood
• 14 inches of heavy-duty rope
• Wood sealer
• Decking screws
• Steel washers

Instructions

1. Cut the wood board and plywood needed for the project. Starting with two standard 2-inch-by-4-inch-by-10-foot boards, cut four 3-foot boards and six 15-inch boards. Then, starting with a 4-foot-by-8-foot-by-5/8-inch plywood piece, cut two 3-foot-by-18-inch plywood sheets.

2. Lay two 3-foot boards parallel to each other and 15 inches apart. Place the 15-inch boards between them at the top, bottom and in the middle of the 3-foot boards. Then, using a drill and deck screws, screw all of the boards together. You will need to do this twice to make two separate frames for the game.

3. Drill two ½-inch holes on the outside of the right-side board -- i.e., 3-foot board. Using the middle 15-inch board as a guide, drill one hole 4 inches above the middle board and one hole 4 inches below the middle board. Keep in mind that you are drilling these holes on the outer right board, but you can use the middle board as a way to make sure that you are drilling the holes exactly 8 inches apart and in the middle of the frame.

4. Insert 1 foot of heavy-duty rope into the holes. The ends of the rope should each go into the holes so that you can then tie a knot on the inside of the board. This will create a handle so that you can easily carry the frame. Repeat this process to make a handle for the second frame.

5. Measure from the bottom of the two plywood pieces that you cut earlier. Measure up 8 inches, 18 inches and 28 inches and draw a line across the plywood at those locations.

6. Cut a 3-inch circle with a jigsaw or drill bit in the middle of each of the lines that you drew in the plywood.

7. Place the plywood pieces on top of the frame and attach it to the frame, using a drill and deck screws.

8. Seal the whole apparatus with two coats of water-resistant, polyurethane seal.

9. Wait for the apparatus to dry before playing the game. You will need six, 2.5-inch-diameter washers, which contain a 1-inch center hole. The washers will serve as the horseshoes for the game, which you will try to toss into one of the holes that you cut into the plywood.

References

• Ultimate Camp Resource: Hillbilly Horseshoes

Resources

• Ultimate Camp Resource: Hillbilly Horseshoes Set-up