Remove the grass and dirt so that the frame can sit snugly into the spot, with the frame's top edge just below the ground. The centre of the pit can be slightly deeper. This is a horseshoe pit, not a hole for a house foundation, so don't fret too much about getting it perfect.
With the hole dug, place the frame and, with the centre spot marked and measured, drive down the iron stake using a sledgehammer. (Note: each stake should be three-feet long; you can buy stakes at the hardware store or in a horseshoe kit.) Leave about a foot-and-a-half aboveground, slightly inclined forward toward the other stake.
Fill with sand
Empty a bag or two of sandbox-grade sand into each pit, so that each area is well-covered, with the stake sitting 13 to 15 inches above the sand. Because the sand will fly around with every toss, don't worry about exact measurements here. (Note: you can also line your pit with landscape cloth to keep the sand from sinking over time.)
Finally, you're ready to get throwing. For horseshoes, check your hardware store (price: about $40 for a set) or, better yet, get them from a farmer looking to unload a few boxes. Now get tossing.
Canadian Home Workshop contributor Jay Somerset has been writing about home renovations and other DIY projects since 2001. He lives with his wife and cat in Toronto. Each month he will tackle a home renovation project that can be done in a weekend or less. From insulating your pipes to installing a tankless water heater to tuning your barbecue, Jay will show you how to get it done right, right away.
Read more in Home Reno & Design and Outdoor
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