Horeshoes Anyone?

Equipment and SuppliesShovel Two sets of Challenger horsehoesHammer Six steel horseshoe stakes Drill Two 1’x3′ treated wooden planks 16 18″x`8″ […]

Equipment and Supplies

Shovel
Two sets of Challenger horsehoes
Hammer
Six steel horseshoe stakes
Drill
Two 1’x3′ treated wooden planks
16 18″x`8″ terracotta stones
One ton of noral sand or gravel
12 six?foot 2x4s, treated.

Total cost of project: $284

Any bum can pound two stakes into the earth and call it a horseshoe pit, but if you want to throw like the pros, take a lazy afternoon to motivate and construct a proper pitching arena. Bob White Sr., owner of Thoroughbred Horseshoes (horseshoesonline.com), shows you how to get ?er done.

1. Pit Stop
Regulation horseshoe stakes are exactly 40 feet apart, so mark these points and dig out a pair of 6’x6′ boxes on either side. Section off a three?foot rectangle in the center of each and frame as shown.

2. Log Jam
Keep your stakes from kicking loose by anchoring them in railroad ties. Drill pilot holes at a slight angle so that when you drive the stakes in they rest at 12 degrees, roughly three inches from vertical.

3. Box Out
Sink four 18″x18″ terra?cotta pave stones on the sides of each pit to create walkways; they?ll line up perfectly at six feet. (If anybody ever lands a shoe on one of these, ask him to play for money.)

4. Sand Trap
If you haven?t already, crack one open, then fill both boxes with sand. To further dampen the landings and keep your shoes from skipping out of play, remember to spray down the sand before every game.

5. Shields Up
Unless it?s cool to thump your dog with an errant toss, you?ll want to install backstops on either end. Anchor a sturdy 1’x3′ board at the back of each pit using an extra set of stakes. It?s finally time to throw.