Horseshoes is supposed to be played with two to four players, or in casual games with as many players as you choose; either player-versus-player or pair-versus-pair. Each player throws (pitches) a horseshoe, trying to catch the shoe on a stake in the ground, or at the least land the shoe within 6 inches of the stake.
General rules state that adult men pitch shoes from 37 feet, and women, kids and senior citizens pitch from 27 feet; kids younger than 9 can pitch from 20 feet. The top 2 to 4 inches of soil or sand in your pit should be loose and level.