How to Find Quality Horseshoes

Q: In our cabin yard, pitching horseshoes is a popular pastime. The other day, we were shocked to discover that one of our shoes had broken in half when it hit the pit. We are now in the market for a replacement set of quality horseshoes. Any suggestions?

– Tilly, via email

A: There are many great things about the classic game of horseshoes, including the fact that required equipment is minimal and fairly inexpensive. “Picnic”-style horseshoe sets (two stakes, four shoes and a carrying case), are typically what you’ll find in most large sporting goods stores. The quality of materials and craftsmanship can vary, as do the prices. A cast-iron set may cost as little as $20, but solid steel can run you closer to $100 or more.

The inexpensive sets are just fine for the casual horseshoe pitcher, but they won’t hold up in the long run. If you and your cabin guests are pitching shoes often (and it sounds like you are), you may want to consider spending a bit more money to get some professional-style shoes that will take a beating and stand the test of time. On its website, the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association (NHPA, www.horseshoepitching.com) provides a list of sanctioned shoes and distributors.

What should you look for?
You probably already know that pitching horseshoes are not the same as equine footwear. For a game that was played in ancient Rome and Greece, horseshoes have undergone many changes through the years. Today, the U-shaped metal bars are about twice the size of an actual horse’s shoe.

There are a wide variety of styles available for both amateurs and professionals. So what should you look for
in a quality horseshoe?

At the very least, you’ll want to think about the material composition of the shoe when determining its possible longevity. Modern horseshoes are made in one of three ways:

Drop forge: This is the traditional forging process where metal is hammered into a horseshoe shape. Once very popular, this method is rarely used in today’s horseshoes since it is very expensive to set up and has design limitations.
Ductile (cast) iron: It is likely that your ill-fated shoe was made of ductile iron. Inexpensive and easy to cast, it is the most commonly used material in horseshoe manufacturing. However, it is also weaker and can break more often than other materials. Since ductile iron is lighter than steel, these shoes also tend to be bulkier to make up the difference in weight.
Alloy cast steel: Nearly 30% stronger than ductile iron, alloy cast steel is the strongest material used in horseshoes today. It can also be used to cast a variety of horseshoe designs. Unfortunately, it is considerably more expensive than other materials.

What else can you do?
Here are some more tips for maximizing the life of your horseshoes and keeping the game going:

Avoid leaving your horseshoes outside and exposed to the elements.
Anchor your stakes in wood instead of concrete to decrease the impact of the horseshoe hitting the stake. If you can get your hands on an old railroad tie, this is one of the best anchor options.
Keep your horseshoes painted and/or coated in a weather-resistant finish. Besides protecting the metal, the paint will also act as a shock absorber when the shoe hits the stake.
Consider purchasing multiple sets of horseshoes in a variety of weights. Then pitchers can choose the shoes that are best suited to them and reduce the likelihood of a wayward toss. Plus, if you happen to break another shoe, a backup set will allow your game to continue without interruption.

To learn how to play the classic game of horseshoes and set up pits in your cabin yard, click here.

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