You are going to throw a lot of rubber. In a single tournament match, one player might sling up to 3,000 horseshoes. That is a lot of elbow grease. But before you can rack up those thousands of swings, you have to throw one. Just one. Let’s start there.
There are really only two ways to get the job done if you are brand new to the game. You either do a flip or you do a one and one-quarter turn. Single-flip pitching is easier for beginners to master because it requires less torque. More serious players often find they get better results with a turn. We will walk through the basics of both, starting with the flip shoe. Also known as a tumble shoe.
How you grip your shoe can make or break your success. The open end with the two tips is the heel, or heel caulks. The toe is opposite that. The arms are called shanks.
The Single Flip Technique
To execute a flip pitch, hold the horseshoe by the toe. Keep your arm straight out. Gripped between your thumb and index finger (or index and middle). The heel caulks should point toward the stake you are aiming at.
Start by swinging your pitching arm like a pendulum. Release the shoe as your arm comes forward. Aim for eye level when you let go.
No two pitchers will throw with the same technique. That is fine. Just be sure to put enough power behind the swing. You want to send that shoe about 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 meters).
Mastering the One and One-Quarter Turn
More advanced pitchers may want to try turns. The one and one-quarter turn is common. It looks harder than it is.
First, hold your horseshoe by one shank. For right-handed pitchers, keep the opening of the horseshoe to the left of your grip. Lefties? It will be opposite.
Swing your pitching arm back and forth. Again, like a pendulum. As you pitch forward, extend your arm. Keep the shoe level with the ground. Let it go after your arm swings by your leg. Some pitchers prefer to release closer to chest level. It does not matter. Find what works.
The Rhythm of the Game
Each player has 30 seconds to pitch both shoes. Time flies when you are watching a shoe nearly ring a stake. Whoever wins the previous inning pitches first in the next. It adds a little pressure. A good kind.
Now that you have the basic rules and technique, let’s talk scoring.
Horseshoes for Health
Playing horseshoes is not just friendly competition. It is also great exercise. Horseshoes weigh about 2.5 pounds (1.1 kilograms). You will throw two shoes for roughly 50 innings if you play to 40 points.
Throwing that weight is one thing. Walking, bending, and lifting are the rest. It is estimated that the average person could burn as many as 150 calories every hour playing the game.
So, you are throwing weights. You are moving. You are laughing. And maybe you are winning. Or maybe you are just trying to get a ringer. Either way, the game keeps you honest. It keeps you moving. The stake doesn’t care about your form. It only cares if the shoe lands. Try it. See what happens.
