Outdoor & pub games
Horseshoes
- players
- 2–4
- minutes
- 25
- years
- 6+
In the box
4 horseshoes · 2 stakes
Official rules (PDF, federation's site)
Box details
- Origin
- Traditional game, with no specific designer or publisher
- Mechanics
- DexterityTeam-Based
Where to buy it
Near you
In a shop
Within 50 km.
The basics
Throw your horseshoes around a stake, or as close to it as possible, the two stakes being set about 12 metres apart. Each player throws their two shoes, then the score is counted before throwing back the other way: a ringer around the stake is worth 3 points, a shoe 15 centimetres or less from the stake 1 point, and only the better-placed side scores. The game is played to 21 points, or to 40 in the federations' long format.
The rules, step by step
Setup
Stakes about 12 m apart, 2 shoes per player
- Two stakes set about 12 metres apart.
- Two horseshoes per player.
How to play
2 shoes each, Then the other way
- Each player throws their two shoes, then the score is counted before throwing back the other way.
- The shoe must stay in the pit to count.
Scoring
Ringer 3 points, 15 cm or less: 1 point, Better-placed side only
- Shoe encircling the stake, a ringer: 3 points.
- Shoe that does not encircle the stake but stops 15 cm (6 inches) or less from it: 1 point.
- Only the better-placed side scores, as in pétanque.
End of the game
21 points, 40 in long format
- The game is played to 21 points, or to 40 in the federations' long format.
Going further
Frequently asked questions · In the same family
Frequently asked questions
What is the aim?
Throw your shoes to get them as close as possible to a stake driven into the ground, or even to encircle it.
How do you score?
A ringer (a shoe encircling the stake) is worth three points; a shoe that stops 15 cm (6 inches) or less from the stake is worth one. Only the better-placed side scores in each inning.
How far do you throw?
The two stakes are about twelve metres apart. You throw from one stake towards the other, then come back.
What happens if both sides throw a ringer?
They cancel each other out: only the difference counts. Two ringers against one, for example, score just three points for the side with more.
How do you win?
Play to an agreed number of points, often 21 or 40. In each inning, only the side whose shoe is closest scores.