Home >> Games & Cards >> Party Games

How to Pitch Horseshoes

Pitching horseshoes is a time-honored game and tradition with origins in Greece and Rome. It has been used through the centuries as an entertaining past time.You can pitch horseshoes for fun or learn the sport for competition.

Things You'll Need

Horseshoes
2 poles or stakes
2 or more players

Instructions

- 1
  Set up a space for the competition. Make sure it is on a patch of grass where there is no traffic. You don't want to risk hurting others with an unexpected throw of a horseshoe!The game is played by the players alternating turns tossing horseshoes at stakes in the ground, which are traditionally placed 40 feet (12.19 meters) apart. Modern games use a more stylized U-shaped bar, about twice the size of an actual horseshoe.
- 2
  Place two stakes firmly in the ground 40 feet (or 12.19 meters) apart.
- 3
  Set aside a pile of about two dozen horse shoes or u-shaped bars. U-shaped bars can be twice the size of a horseshoe and are used competitively, but old-fashioned horse shoes give it a more authentic feel. Once you decide on the purpose of your game, you can decide which works best for you.
- 4
  Take a horseshoe and go to the pitcher's platform. This means you should be standing erect to a side that is opposite the stake. The platform should be as far away from the platform as is challenging for you. For a casual game, you don't want to make it too far away. If you are training to be professional, see the specifications details link at the bottom of the page.
- 5
  Grip the horseshoe and extend your arm to full length. Grip the shoe carefully and bring it up to eye level. Bend slightly as you eye the stake.
- 6
  Step forward slightly, and release the horseshoe with full strength towards the stake. You should align it and think of it in terms of releasing the shoe. Forcing or throwing a horseshoe usually leads to a foul game.
- 7
  Determine the score of your throw. If it's a simplistic game, you want to give each other 2 points for a perfect throw that lands on the stake. Give yourself one point for a shoe that lands within 6 inches of the goal.
- 8
  Set up a game point system, like the first who gets 20 points will win the game. Simply playing until the party seems to be tiring of the game is popular at events and parties.If you aim to train to be a professional, consult the official association site (listed below) for full details on rules for winning.

Party Games