Horseshoe Puzzle - 3D Print

The horseshoe puzzle is a classic disentanglement puzzle made from two horseshoes joined together by short ropes or chains, with a solid ring placed onto the linkages between the shoes. The objective is to remove the ring from the assembly without using force, bending, or breaking any part of the puzzle.

It is typically considered a moderate challenge, well-suited for a wide range of ages, as it encourages logical thinking and spatial reasoning.

Tools:

1. 3D Printer
2. Scissors
3. Tape Measure
4. Lighter
5. Sharpie

Materials:

1. Filament
2. Paracord - 4mm (~ 2 feet)

Print two shoes and one ring.

Final puzzle will look like these CAD renderings.

Cut paracord to 24 inches. Melt one end of the cord with a lighter.

Feed the melted end of the cord through the first horseshoe.

Feed cord through second horseshoe.

Slide the outer jacket of the cord back by approximately 1/2 inch to reveal the inner fibers. Trim the exposed fibers, then return the jacket to its original position. Flare out the end of the cord—this will make it easier to insert the other end.

This step might involve trial and error. I suggest working out the splice on an excess piece of cord before going to the puzzle.

Insert one end of the cord into the other. Hold both ends securely and use a lighter to melt them together. While the joint is still warm, smooth it down with a damp cloth. Aim for a neat splice that matches the original cord’s diameter. Since this joint isn't appealing, pull the spliced section of the cord into one of the shoes

At first glance, it appears that the ring is impossible to remove because it is too small to slip past the curved ends of the horseshoes, and the chains are too short to maneuver the ring directly off.

The solution typically involves twisting, aligning, and manipulating the horseshoes and cords in a precise way, creating a gap or path that allows the ring to slide out. No brute force is required; the puzzle is based entirely on dexterity and lateral thinking.

I'm happy with the final result of this puzzle and hope you have fun creating your own version. Feel free to reach out with any questions. If you enjoy this puzzle, check out my Instructables page for many other projects. Thank you for taking a look!