• History of Horseshoes
• Playing Surfaces
• Horseshoe Regulations
• How to play horseshoes

History of Horseshoes
Dating back as early as the second century, iron plates or rings were nailed on horses' feet in Western Asia and Eastern Europe. Horseshoes is thought to have evolved from a couple of different games, the Grecian game of discuss and the game of ring toss called Quoits. Horseshoe historians have not been able to discover when the game of quoits or horseshoes was changed so that it was pitched at two stakes, but it is pretty well established that horseshoe pitching had its origin in the game of quoits and that quoits is a modification of the ancient Grecian game of discus throwing.

Horseshoes Playing Surfaces:
You do not need to build a formal pitching court to enjoy the game of horseshoes. The game can be played simply by driving two stakes 40 feet apart. A layer of sand around the stakes is recommended.

Horseshoes Rules of Play:

Basic Etiquette:
1. Horseshoe tradition holds that no contestant should make any remarks, sounds or movements that might distract or interfere with the opponent's play.
2. In the course of play, no contestant should walk to the opposite stake prior to the completion of the inning and no shoes should be removed until the winner of points has been agreed upon by all contestants, or a decision is rendered by a referee.
3. While not pitching, a contestant should stand on the opposite side of the pit at least 2' behind the opponent.
Playing the game:
1. The game is broken down into innings, each consisting of 4 pitched horseshoes, 2 by each opponent. A coin toss determines who pitches first.
2. The first player will pitch both shoes and then wait while the other player does the same. Each player must take care not to cross the foul line which is 3' past the stake.
3. After all shoes are pitched, both players move to the opposite stake to determine the point allocation for that inning.
4. Games length can be limited by either a predetermined number of points or shoes. Official horseshoe tournament play is either 40 points, or 40 shoes (20 innings). However in backyard play, it is common to play to 15 or 21 points. In the case of a tie in horseshoes, a two inning tie breaker is played.

Horseshoe Scoring:

1. In order to be considered for points a show must lie within a 6" area from the stake. The distance between the open ends of the staked is 6" for easy measurements.
2. If multiple shoes are within this 6" area the closest shoe gets one point. If one player has 2 shoes closer than the other player, it's worth 2 points.
3. Leaners are shoes which lean against the stake and are worth 1 point and are considered closer than shoes on the ground.
4. Ringers are shoes which completely encircle the stake so that both ends can be touched with a straight edge. Ringers are worth 3 points.
5. Cancellation scoring: Anytime the shoes of opposing players are equal distance from the stake or of equal value hey cancel each other out and score no points. A ringer can be topped or cancelled by the opposing player.
6. In order to win the game the player must reach the determined point total or be ahead after the set number of innings.