If you own horses, chances are you have likely thrown horseshoes because it seems to go along with the territory. Throwing a flip horseshoe requires a certain level of skill, the right horseshoes, and some luck. If you search on Google, you are likely to find many people wanting to learn information on the best horseshoes for a flip.
Pitching horseshoes is a fun sport for passing the time. Learning to pitch a horseshoe and flip it requires having the right horseshoes. Not all horseshoes will allow you to flip them easily. We have done a lot of horseshoe pitching over the years and have written this guide to help our readers understand the best horseshoes for flipping so they can have fun and be competitive.
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Champion Sports Horseshoe Set
- Includes four horseshoes, two stakes, and a large carrying case
- It consists of a set of complete official rules
- These horseshoes are made of durable materials that hold up well
The Benefits of Using the Right Horseshoes for Flipping
The game of horseshoes is popular in North America and has even found its way to other parts of the world. Having the right horseshoe is essential for being able to flip effectively. If you want to pitch and flip, being able to show off to your friends, you’ve got to have the right equipment for the job. We have seen the following key benefits of using the right horseshoes.
- If you have the right flip horseshoe, it will be easier to hit the stake every time.
- You will find flipping is much easier because the flip horseshoe is made to make turns with ease.
- Flip horseshoes feel much more comfortable in your hands, making pitching much easier.
Top Model Compared Best Horseshoes for flip
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
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Our Top Pick
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Champion Sports Horseshoe Set |
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Check Price |
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Franklin Sports Horseshoe Sets |
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Check Price |
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Indoor/Outdoor Horseshoe Set |
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Check Price |
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St. Pierre American Horseshoe Set |
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Check Price |
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Trademark Games Professional Horseshoe Set |
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Check Price |
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Challenger Professional Pitching Horseshoes |
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Check Price |
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Gordon Professional Pitching Horseshoes |
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Check Price |
Top 7 Horseshoes for Flipping in 2022
We have tried just about every shoe on the market and can now comfortably say which ones are most effective. With our best horseshoe set reviews, you can decide for yourself which one will offer you the best pitching and flipping ability.
#1) Franklin Sports Horseshoe Set
While there are a lot of horseshoes on the market, not all of them are created equal. Some are too heavy, and some just do not fit right in your hand, making it nearly impossible to flip comfortably.
This Franklin Horseshoe set includes everything you will need to enjoy a backyard game of horseshoes. We use this set for practice and even take it on the road with us when we go RVing. The handy carrying bag makes it easy.
This set comes in the professional, family, and American models. If you are truly serious about learning the art of flip, we suggest you purchase the professional set because it is superior.
This set includes two black horseshoes and two silver, all forged steel. We were first drawn to the set because Franklin is a trusted name in the industry. What impressed us was the way the horseshoes felt in our hands. Each one weighs about 2.1 pounds, which is ideal for flipping.
Highlighted Features:
- Official size and weight
- Made of forged steel
- Solid steel 18 -inch stakes
- It comes with everything you need to play
#2) Champion Sports Rubber Horseshoe Set
When we first saw these, we were hesitant to purchase them because they were marketed more towards safety rather than professional play. We have to say we were pleasantly surprised when we tried these out.
If you have kids who love to practice horseshoe pitching, this is a set you will want to purchase because it works well for both kids and adults.
These are not competition horseshoes, but they are great for practicing, and their lightweight rubber construction means you can even practice indoors without worrying about your expensive china being broken.
The setup could not be more straightforward. You have to put the peg in the rubber disk and set them on a level surface. It is simple; even your kids can put the set together right out of the box.
Champion Sports is a company many sports enthusiasts have come to rely on for its craftsmanship. This set is much safer when playing around with kids or animals; even if someone gets hit, they will not be harmed.
Champion Sports also sells official weight sets that are made of steel. If you are new to horseshoe pitching, this set will likely help you practice and gain skills without investing so much money in a professional setting.
Highlighted Features:
- Lightweight for all ages
- Safe design with rubber
- It comes with four horseshoes, two discs, two pegs, and two dowels
- Vibrant colors for seeing the target
#3) St. Pierre American Horseshoe Set
If you participate in tournaments, you will need a tournament-approved set like this St. Pierre American Horseshoe set. These horseshoes are officially sized and weighted, so you can take them to professional tournaments without issue.
We were impressed with this set from the beginning because of the American-balanced forged steel horseshoes. Each one pitched efficiently and with full accuracy.
This set includes only four horseshoes, so you will have to purchase the stakes, which can be bought separately.
We could flip these easily and even won a couple of professional and unprofessional tournaments using them. If you are new to pitching horseshoes, this set will be helpful because it comes with complete instructions on how to set up the court according to NHPA standards.
These horseshoes come with thumb caulk, making them much more comfortable to flip and turn. Once you become accustomed to flipping, it is time to try your luck at turning for even better results.
Featured Highlights:
- Fully tournament sized and weighted
- Made of forged steel
- Includes thumb caulk
- Each horseshoe weighs around two pounds, eight ounces
#4) Trademark Games Professional Horseshoe Set
If you are searching for the best flipping horseshoe, this is a set you should check out. This professional set comes with everything you need to get started on pitching horseshoes, including a convenient carrying case.
Because these are regulation horseshoes, you can use them in any tournament. We were genuinely impressed with the way these horseshoes felt.
We also like the way they made the stakes. They are tapered at the end, so you will be able to drive them into the ground quickly.
The stake poles are twenty-three inches in height, and each horseshoe weighs around two pounds. This horseshoe set can be used by kids, teens, and adults of all ages. Even if you are new to the sport, this set makes the learning curve much more straightforward.
This is an excellent set and plays well. We enjoyed using them to practice our flips and turns and even allowed the kids to get involved, which they had a ball doing! This is the kind of set you will want to get your hands on.
Highlighted Features:
- Made of durable metals that stand up to abuse
- It comes with everything you need, including four horseshoes, two stakes, and a carrying case
- Made for kids and adults of all ages
- Horseshoes weigh just over two pounds each
#5) Champion Sports Horseshoe Set
I picked up this set to help my brother learn how to flip. I wanted to find the best horseshoes for pitching because he was new to the sport and was not very confident in playing.
We were able to assemble this set very quickly and were playing in minutes.
Champion is a name we have trusted for years because they make some of the best sports products on the market.
This is also why you will see them listed more than twice in our 7 best horseshoes for flip review.
Champion offers three types of sets, depending on whether you are playing in the backyard for fun or practicing for a tournament. I went with the Deluxe set to help my brother learn, which seemed to be a perfect fit.
This Champion set comes with everything you could need to get started pitching horseshoes right away. The stakes drive into the ground quickly, and the horseshoes are made of high-quality materials and feel the perfect weight in your hands.
Highlighted Features:
- Includes four horseshoes, two stakes, and a large carrying case
- It consists of a set of complete official rules
- These horseshoes are made of durable materials that hold up well
- Available in three sets: Tournament, Classic, and Deluxe
#6) Challenger Professional Pitching Horseshoes
I have used a lot of horseshoe sets in my day but had never tried the Challenger brand for some reason, so I thought I would. I bought these because I had heard good things about them and figured it would be good to check them out and see about all the hype.
When researching this horseshoe set, I was intrigued that these are made from a special iron alloy that is said to prevent them from breaking and warping. I have played with some cheaply made horseshoes before, and you can tell the quality is lacking, but this was not the case with these Challenger horseshoes.
Each horseshoe weighs around two pounds and meets all official regulations on size and weight. These horseshoes have been sanctioned for tournament and league use, so you can purchase them confidently if you are a professional pitcher.
I was impressed with the long and thin sides, which help you flip and turn correctly. You can tell a lot of work went into designing these horseshoes and ensuring they work as they should. You can feel the difference by holding them in your hands before getting ready to pitch.
Featured Highlights:
- Made from a special iron alloy
- Resists warping and breaking
- Professional set, meeting official regulations
- Includes four horseshoes, two stakes, and a rule book
#7) Gordon Professional Horseshoes for Pitching
I like to look for horseshoes that the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association sanctions. You can legally use them for tournament play because they are the correct size and weight.
When looking for horseshoes, I also make sure I purchase forged ones as much as possible because this is the type of horseshoe that will stand up to a lot of abuse and keep going without damage.
Gordon is a name highly trusted in the NHPA, and I have used them before. I like the look of these red horseshoes, though I did not purchase them for looks alone.
These are medium weight, so they are ideal for both novices and professionals. These feel amazing in your hand and will allow you to become the best pitcher, flipper, and turner.
Only the best horseshoe companies offer a warranty against breakage, and Gordon does, which is one of the many reasons I stand behind their products. These horseshoes are designed to help you make solid ringers every time, and we found them to be just as fitting for backyard play and practice, as well as tournaments.
Featured Highlights:
- Made of forged steel
- Curved ends make for perfect ringers
- The bright red design is attractive
- NHPA certified for weight and size
Things to Consider Before You Buy Horseshoes for Flipping
Before you purchase any horseshoes, you need to know what to look for to make the best purchase. There are specific criteria you should always search for when it comes to horseshoes for pitching. Consider the following before you make a purchase.
Forged or Pressed
Forged steel is always going to be stronger than compressed metal. If possible, choose a horseshoe that has been forged so you can rest assured it will not break in a short amount of time. Forged horseshoes are always stronger and a better buy.
Regulation size and weight
Purchasing regulation weight and size horseshoes are critical if you plan on pitching in tournaments. You can use a lighter horseshoe for practice, but this could throw you off when it comes time for real competition. Unless you have kids playing or are a beginner, purchase and use regulation weight and size. If you are new to pitching horseshoes, you may need to strengthen your wrists so you do not risk injury. Regulation weight cannot weigh more than two pounds and ten ounces.
Thumb caulk
Occasionally, you will find a horseshoe that does not include the caulks. The caulk helps to control the pitch and is instrumental in flip. When attempting to pitch a horseshoe, you want to ensure the caulk is down. With the caulk in the right place, you can avoid multiple flips that can throw off your accuracy.
NHPA
The National Horse Pitcher’s Association is stringent on which horseshoe makers they sanction. If you can find a horseshoe set sanctioned by the NHPA, it would be wise to make a purchase. While it is not critical you purchase an NHPA-sanctioned horseshoe; you will find them to be of a higher quality typically.
Should you purchase a set or single horseshoes?
If you are new to pitching horseshoes, you will need to purchase a set because it contains everything you need to get started. A good set should include at least four horseshoes, two stakes, and a rule book.
How to pitch a horseshoe
Learning how to pitch a horseshoe properly takes time and practice, but it is not all that difficult once you get ahold of the necessary steps. You will need to ensure your posture is erect and your feet are balanced.
Make sure to grip the shoe with the caulks and hold it at full arm’s length, keeping it at a 45-degree angle. You will then bend forward and slightly at the knees. Pull the horseshoe entirely back. You will release the horseshoe as you naturally shift your weight to the left leg.
FAQ About Horseshoes for Flip
We get a lot of feedback and questions from our readers. We love hearing from our readers, and we look forward to answering the questions they ask. We went through dozens of reader-submitted queries and found the top three we would like to answer.
- Are pitching horseshoes and flipping horseshoes the same?
Flipping is simply a style that some pitchers use. The terms can be interchangeable. You can use standard pitching horseshoes to learn to flip easily. You do not necessarily need to purchase a horseshoe that is explicitly made for flipping.
- How far should you be from the stake when pitching?
Standard regulations require you to pitch from a distance of 37 feet. If you are playing a simple backyard game for fun, you can reduce that distance and always let the little ones pitch close so they can enjoy the game.
- How do you flip a horseshoe?
Flipping a horseshoe is not tricky; it flips because of how you hold it in your hand. You hold the horseshoe by the rounded end and give your wrist a slight forward flick when throwing. This movement will cause the horseshoe to flip over as you throw it, allowing you to create a perfect ringer.
Final Thoughts
Pitching horseshoes is excellent fun and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. We have included everything you need to know to decide which horseshoe set will best meet your needs.
We have included a range of horseshoe sets in our top seven reviews. These include the best horseshoes for a flip. You will find sets that accommodate every age and skill level, so click each link to learn more about the available sets and make an informed decision. We would love to hear your thoughts and continue sending in those questions!
