Horseshoes, a timeless game cherished for nearly a century, embodies friendly competition, requiring only a yard and a horseshoe set. As summer approaches, seize the opportunity to acquire a set for your backyard. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned player, there's a set tailored to your preferences. Quality is paramount, so opt for high-quality sets with durable horseshoes and stakes. Our research reveals that St. Pierre excels as the premier provider of the best horseshoe sets, celebrated for their impeccable craftsmanship and enduring quality. Rest assured, each horseshoe set featured in this article offers excellent reliability, durability, and performance.
Our Top Picks For Horseshoe Set
The Best Horseshoe Sets
Best Overall
This set by St. Pierre was designed by a world champion horseshoe pitcher and is made exclusively in the U.S.A. It includes four American horseshoes made from forged steel in both blue and gray colors, as well as two 24-inch solid steel stakes made to withstand the elements. The horseshoes provide more balance and control while pitching because they have more weight in the toe caulks. In addition, a tapered leading edge makes it easier for the horseshoes to slide into the stakes. They are NHPA-approved and come with an official rulebook and a plastic tote bag.
Pros
- Includes a plastic tote for storage
- Comes with an official rulebook
- Made of forged steel
Cons
- Stakes are not suited for tough soil
Key Features
If you’re serious about pitching horseshoes and want a set that lasts, this product is for you. The horseshoes are heavy-duty and feel very balanced when pitched. They’re a perfect weight and feel great in your hand. The paint is durable and the shoes are easy to clean and store. The stakes are high-quality but seem a little short after being driven into the ground. The problem is that you need to plant them deep enough to give them the right amount of stability. This causes them to come up a few inches shorter than what’s specified in the rulebook. However, this is a minor issue unless you’re a stickler for the rules. The tote bag the set comes in is great for portability and storage.
Most Durable
This beautiful horseshoe set is an upgrade to the beloved party classic and makes for a great outdoor game to elevate any backyard gathering. They come in a set of four and include a pair of 20-inch stakes. The finishing on these horseshoes makes them ultra-durable and ensures that they don’t rust.
Pros
- Cast steel material
- Gold and silver finishes
- Comes with an instruction manual
Cons
- The stakes might be slightly short
Key Features
This sturdy horseshoe set is made of cast steel and comes in silver and gold hammer finishes. The set comes with two 20-inch stakes in a silver hammer finish. The horseshoes are weighted well for easy throwing, and the powder coating on top resists rust and corrosion. Structurally, they’ll stand up to the elements. However, we did think that the stakes might be a bit short for tougher soil types.
Most Versatile
This set is suitable for players of all ages, including young kids. Made with high-quality rubber, these horseshoes feel lightweight and therefore easy to hold and throw. They come with rubber playing mats, making them appropriate for both indoor and outdoor use. The horseshoes come in fun bright red and blue colors, whereas the pegs are yellow for better visibility. The set includes four horseshoes, two rubber mats, and two plastic dowels.
Pros
- Great for playing indoors and outdoors
- The horseshoes are lightweight
- Rubber mats provide extra protection
Cons
- Rubber pegs tend to tip over easily
Key Features
If you just want something your kids will enjoy in the backyard or indoors, this is an affordable and fun option. Made from light-weight rubber, this isn’t your traditional horseshoe set. It’s made for indoor and outdoor use and it’s even great for children since the rubber horseshoes are soft and easier to throw. Even though they’re not made of metal, they are still very durable. The rubber also ensures that the surfaces don’t get damaged when used indoors. The rubber playmats included in the set also provide added protection against potential damage to the floor. The set also includes bright yellow pegs to help with visibility and aim. This product was made for ease of use. Even kids should be able to assemble it right out of the box.
Finding the Best Horseshoe Sets: A Buying Guide
What to Look for When Evaluating Horseshoe Sets
When looking for the right horseshoe set, you need to consider a few things first. Most sets come with the same components, but the small nuances make a big difference. The first thing you need to consider is how often you’re going to use your horseshoes. Is this something you plan on breaking out every once in a while when you have guests, or are you ready to become a dedicated player? If you’re serious about horseshoes and want to become a dedicated player, you’ll need to invest a little more. If you just want to have some backyard fun, something basic will suffice.
You should also consider where you’ll be playing. If you think you’ll be taking your horseshoe set to the beach, park, or on vacation, you’ll need to transport it. Many sets come with custom bags that make this process easier. You may also want to look for unique colors so your set stands out. In addition, you need to think about whether you want to drive stakes into your lawn. Doing this over and over may cause damage to your grass. To avoid this, look into creating a sandpit for the stakes.
If you’re serious about pitching horseshoes, look for a set that’s approved by the National Horseshoe Pitching Association. This means they’ll have the same measurements and specifications as those used by professionals. This is important if you want to enter tournaments or just like playing with high-quality equipment. When looking at different sets, the packaging should indicate if they’re NHPA-approved.
How to Find a High-Quality Horseshoe Set
When it’s time to start shopping around for a set, the primary thing to keep an eye on is durability. Horseshoes are made to be thrown, so the ones you choose need to hold up. Most are made out of steel or metal, but they still may be subject to corrosion, rust, and breakage. Look for horseshoes that are made from forged steel. These are typically unbreakable and will withstand the elements. As far as stakes go, they should be steel. It’s also important that they’re long enough to remain stable when driven into the ground.
If your kids want to get in on the action, rubber horseshoe sets are available. These allow youngsters to get used to the game before switching to real horseshoes. You’ll find these rubber sets at very affordable prices. Once your kids are ready for the real deal, you can find horseshoes that aren’t as heavy as regulation models.
If you’re ready to spend a little more for a high-quality set, make sure you read customer reviews. In addition, find out exactly what kind of material they’re made out of and where they’re made. Go ahead and look for a set that’s NHPA-approved. While the quality may still vary from set to set, at least you’ll be playing with tournament-grade specifications.
Benefits of a Horseshoe Set
The whole reason you’re investing in a horseshoe set is to have fun. Nothing sparks a little friendly competition better than a game of horseshoes. The great part is that it’s suitable for all ages. Having a set on hand is perfect for backyard parties and BBQs. You’ll probably find that once you get started, the games will last until the sun goes down.
Another benefit of owning a horseshoe set is that you can take it anywhere. This is a great game to set up on the beach or at a local park. Because there aren’t many components to a horseshoe set, it’s easy to pack up and transport. You can even get a custom bag to carry them in. This means the fun comes with you wherever you go. Just be prepared; your friends may start asking you to bring it over the next time they entertain guests.
Pitching horseshoes is both easy and challenging. It doesn’t require much physical exertion, but it can be tricky to win. This means everyone can get involved. In addition, the rules are easy. Check out Gather Together Games’ guide on how to play horseshoes.
As you can see, the simplicity of horseshoes is one of the reasons they’ve stood the test of time. It’s a low-stress game that allows you to enjoy the company of your opponents. That being said, go out and find the best horseshoe set that fits your needs. It’ll bring you closer to family and friends and also add a little something extra to your backyard barbecues.
For more ways to entertain your family and guests, check out our outdoor living page.
People Also Asked
How are NHPA-approved horseshoe sets better than the others?
Horseshoe sets approved by the National Horseshoe Pitching Association have the same measurements and specifications as those used by professionals.
Are horseshoe sets suitable for indoor use?
Cast iron or forged steel horseshoes can damage hard floors, but some rubberized horseshoe sets are made with soft, lightweight material suitable for indoor and outdoor surfaces.
Are horseshoe sets expensive?
Horseshoe sets are generally inexpensive, which is why they are considered such a classic backyard game.
