Under National Horseshoe Pitchers Association (NHPA) rules, stakes are 40 feet apart and stand 14 to 15 inches above the ground. Adult men pitch from the 37-foot line or back at the stake; women, older pitchers and juniors may use a 27-foot line. Shoes weigh no more than 2 pounds 10 ounces. A ringer scores 3 points and a shoe within 6 inches of the stake scores 1.
Horseshoes is one of the oldest backyard games, and a well-built pit makes it far more fun.
Regulation layout
| Spec | NHPA regulation |
|---|---|
| Stake distance | 40 ft |
| Stake height | 14 to 15 in above the pit |
| Stake lean | Slightly toward the opposite stake |
| Men’s foul line | 37 ft from the opposite stake |
| Women, juniors and older pitchers | 27 ft foul line |
| Shoe weight | Up to 2 lb 10 oz |
Building a pit
- Use a 1-inch steel stake driven deep or anchored in a buried timber.
- Fill the pit with moist clay, sand or a clay-sand mix so shoes stop without bouncing.
- Frame the pit with boards and add a pitching platform on each side.
- Leave a backboard behind each pit to stop stray shoes.
Scoring
| Result | Points |
|---|---|
| Ringer | 3 |
| Shoe within 6 in of the stake | 1 |
| Leaner (touching the stake) | Usually 1 in casual play |
In cancellation scoring, ringers cancel each other and only the difference is scored; games often run to 40 points. Count-all scoring, used in many leagues, counts every point.
Shoes
NHPA-sanctioned shoes must be an approved model within the association’s weight and size limits; a material label alone does not establish approval. Lightweight plastic sets with mats and dowels are a separate casual format. Compare the steel and plastic horseshoe set options before choosing a game for a family or a fixed pit.
Compare with cornhole distances, washer toss and the horseshoes-versus-washers setup guide.
For a different fixed-area yard game, compare the tetherball court and pole setup. Browse horseshoes and toss games.
Sources
Common questions
How far apart are horseshoe stakes?
40 feet apart in NHPA regulation play. Many backyard games use shorter distances for kids.
How high should a horseshoe stake be?
14 to 15 inches above the pit surface, leaning slightly toward the opposite stake.
How much does a regulation horseshoe weigh?
No more than 2 pounds 10 ounces. Many pitchers use shoes close to that weight.
What is a ringer?
A shoe that encircles the stake so a straightedge touching both tips does not touch the stake. It scores 3 points.