Horseshoe Pitching Tools and Accessories

Many of the horseshoe pitching dealers I list on my main page have photos of the accessories I discuss below.

Pick-Up/Retriever Tools:
 To save wear and tear on one's back and hands, I suggest having a tool to retrieve the horseshoes from the sand, clay, or dirt in the pit. Hands may get cut by shards of metal buried in the pit. Backs can get tired from bending over and over during lengthy games or tournament play. What to get?
My first pick-up tool was a hook that came in three pieces that screwed together (it fit nicely in my carrying bag). But after a few months, the wear and tear on the main joint broke and was not repairable. So now I own a one-piece pick-up stick that's 22 inches long (including the handle), too long to fit in my carrying bag, but it's lasted many years and shows no wear. I put a piece of ugly tape on its handle to identify it as mine since the pick-up hook tools all look alike. They seem to come in lengths of 12", 18", 24", and 32".
The "Pit Boss" and "Horseshoe Hooker" pick-up and measuring tools are shorter, but easier to carry, and they also serve as a measuring device.
Or, make your own. I've seen golf clubs modified to be pick-up tools. NOTE: Homemade pickup tools may NOT meet legal requirements at a sanctioned tournament! See NHPA RGS (Rules/Regulations/Guidelines Specifications) on the NHPA website under "Pitching Accessories."
My motto, "Whatever works for you." (as long as it's legal)

Measuring Devices:
 One frequently needs a straight-edge to check for ringers, measure the six inches for a point's distance from the stake, or calipers to measure the closest point. I've found three tools for measuring: the "Davis Tool," the "Pit Boss" and the "Horseshoe Hooker." Here's my photo of (L-R): Davis Tool w/round file, Pit Boss, and Horseshoe Hooker.

I use a "Davis Tool" which can come with or without a file (used to be just a flat file, and now can come with a round file). I use the one w/o a file since I carry a separate small round file. I've found that a flat file cannot get into the rounded areas of my horseshoes. The "Davis Tool" has a flat edge for measuring ringers, the flat edge has a notch to hold around the stake to measure the six inches for a point, and it has calipers for measuring the closest point. And, optionally, a flat or round file. These all fold in like a pocket knife. The calipers are the deciding factor why I prefer the Davis Tool.
The "Horseshoe Hooker" can measure for ringers and points (and pick-up the shoe) as can the "Pit Boss," though the "Pit Boss" has a tapered end for measuring the closest point and a grasping area to hold it.
If you are trying to decide what to use, find a pitcher who has one of these tools, borrow it for a bit, and see what you prefer.

Ron & Polly's Horseshoe Pitching Supplies has various tool images so you can see how the Davis tool and Hooker are used.

Files:
 It's a common occurrence for a burr to appear on a horseshoe. Between the metal shoes striking the stake or other shoes, a piece of the shoe may become sharp or jagged. It's good to have a file to even out the metal surface; otherwise, one may get a cut on one's hand.
The "Davis Tool" mentioned above can come with a flat or round file. A round file is better, in my opinion, to remove the burrs on a round horseshoe. I use a round file that's not part of another tool. In an emergency, one can rub one shoe against the other to even out a sharp piece of metal. But if one has already tossed the first shoe before noticing the burr on the second shoe, one has only 30 seconds to pitch the second shoe, and no shoe nearby to scrape against it.

Watch/Keeping Score:
 I found a watch that has four functions: 1) tells time, 2) keeps score for golf, 3) keeps score for tennis, and 4) keeps two scores, for ex, horseshoes. I practice and play games with it. I like to know what time it, but I use the scorekeeping function to keep track of the score in a game (that way I don't have to ask the scorekeeper) and I use it to count ringers when I practice. Here's an image of the watch. During a game I use the top counter for my score and the bottom counter for my opponent's score. During a practice session, I use the top counter for my ringers and the bottom counter for my total shoes. When I am practicing I can see my ringer percentage as I pitch. If I am lower than my goal, I take time to analyze and make adjustments. If I am above my goal, I am happy and keep doing what I am doing.

Gloves:
 Some horseshoe pitchers wear gloves. I don't, but I know others who swear by them. I am looking for more information about the use of gloves to pitch horseshoes, so I hope to add to this section later.
In the August 30, 1977 issue of "The Miami News" newspaper, horseshoe pitcher Ted Strzalka was playing in a doubles tournament and he had left his pitching gloves at home. The article says, "'I need my glove. I left my horseshoe-pitching glove home in Ohio,' Strzalka said. The difference between a horseshoe pitching glove and a golf glove is that you use a golf glove to play golf and a horseshoe glove to pitch horseshoes."
It appears that pitchers use a golf glove, baseball batting glove, or leather motorcycle glove to pitch, sometimes with the fingertips cut out.

Towel:
 You will want to have a towel available. You may not need it every time you pitch, but when you need it, a towel is far better than wiping your hands on your pants, or wiping the horseshoes on the grass. There are fancy towels with horseshoe logos. I use a small kitchen or hand towel from my linen closet. As long as I remember to wash it once in a while, I'm good. In the spring when it's really wet and the horseshoe pit dirt is extra muddy, I could use more than one towel.
My point being, have some sort of towel available, some day you'll need it.

Carrying Cases:
 You will want something to carry your horseshoes, tools, file, towel, sunglasses, cap/hat, cell phone, pencil, score cards, etc. I carry two pair of Snyder horseshoes, one blue and one white. Horseshoes can break, and I've pitched against players who have the exact same shoe I have, so I use my pair of the other color.
There are many choices and price ranges of carrying cases. See what the horseshoe dealers have available and what fits your needs and price range. I use a small carry bag that I got free for subscribing to a magazine. It has a large top zippered compartment, two small side pockets, and each end can hold a water bottle. It holds everything except my pick-up tool.

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