A comprehensive mirror thread

[goldenrow]

We have a lot of mirror threads, but not a lot info!

Given all the money you want - but you still have to ride at home by yourself, and need to train half-passes, half-steps, and flying changes - answer me these questions:

How high do your mirrors start off the ground?

How tall do they go?

Does this change if you have them on the short or long side?

How long of a section do you want on the long side, to see flying changes?

Safety coating or backing?

Do you tilt?

Does the size of horse/pony matter?

Insulation behind them? (Indoor, but not heated. Gets cold.)

How do you cover yours?

Acrylic - yes or no?

Notable businesses - good or bad?

[Libby2563]

Mine start 4’ off the ground and are 4’ high.

They are tilted, but that was trial and error so I can’t tell you how much.

I have them on my short side only, with a slight gap in the middle because there are steps to the driveway there.

Glass with safety backing.

No insulation and they are outdoors in Maryland.

I have never covered them.

I would not do acrylic because of the image distortion.

My fence guy built the frames and the mirros came from a local glass shop. I got quotes from companies that specifically market arena mirrors and the cost was outrageous, like $30,000 for a short side.

Pretty pictures here: http://thesmallhorsefarm.blogspot.com/2015/03/mirrors-for-outdoor-riding-arena.html

[atr]

We have just installed Mylar mirrors. No distortion, safe, light and reasonably priced.

www.glasslessmirror.com

[2tempe]

Barn where I board has beautiful mirrors, just on short side, start at top of rail - roughly 4’ high, and the mirrors go up about 5’ from there. They are huge, wood framed and backed. Ring is about 30 meters wide, Tilted same comment as above, you have to adjust.
Barn owner went top of the line, no clue as to cost. In picture they were not even completely done but you can see how solid the structure is. Not insulated, not ever covered - we are in Florida.

https://www.facebook.com/windsongfarmsequestrian/photos/a.212593692146987.52158.209296325810057/398877710185250/?type=3&theater

Edited to add: to see whole horse or pony is not a problem unless you are really on the short side rail. I practice my walk pirouettes not far off the short side rail and can easily see all the steps. This is why they tilt I think?

[EmilyF]

Hopefully this link works:

Mirrors

This is the construction of mine. Largest sliding closet doors that home depot sells, mounted 4ft high. No insulation, cos, well… California. I don’t cover them. I had to mount them so close to the arena because of space and as such I lose hooves or my head occasionally. But since the whole project came in well under $1000 I’ll suck that up.

[Boo]

Where i used to board had mirrors at C that worked well - were old cupboard doors apparently picked up on the side of the road. Owner put a wooden frame on them and no problems for 15 odd years. Must have not been glass etc. Bore water has managed to get down the back of them and everything has an orange tint to it and due to the stain can’t be used if more than 20m or so away.
https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/12033073_10153631328523162_4584123907523430286_n.jpg?oh=9d457e960bb74095f70c0b520ace7f52&oe=5876A3B9

I’ve scored 2x similar door mirrors and my OH will be building a frame for them for me. But till the arena is actually finished wont be happening. I’ll probably put one at C again and then on the long side edge so i can assess lateral movement etc.

[kcmel]

[QUOTE=atr;8869939]
We have just installed Mylar mirrors. No distortion, safe, light and reasonably priced.

www.glasslessmirror.com[/QUOTE]

Interesting. What size did you get? Are you using them outside? Which ones did you get? I wonder if the rolling ones would work outside, or do you need to tilt?

Thanks?

[airhorse]

Would love to hear more about the glassless mirrors also.

[atr]

We have them inside. 3 8 x 4 panels across the center of one short end of the arena, set about 6ft off the ground with a slight forward tilt to them. They are so light we could hang them on wires.

Our arena is insulated and heated so it will be interesting to see how they handle condensation in the winter.

We plan to add them to the ends of the long sides at some point in the future.

[dressagegirl123]

I have them across the short side of my arena (Florida). I don’t cover them, but its an outdoor, so I don’t turn out there. The bottom is 3’ off the ground, the top is 8’. You had mentioned putting them on the long side to watch your changes. I think you would find that trying to watch changes with your head turned to the side will mess up your changes. Better to do them on a diagonal, and watch them as you approach the mirrors. Best of luck with your mirrors!

[goldenrow]

"atr said:

We have just installed Mylar mirrors. No distortion, safe, light and reasonably priced.

www.glasslessmirror.com"

REALLY NO distortion? Everything I have ever been told about mirrors, is Not to use anything but real glass.

Please be honest! Is it wavy? Hard to line up for smooth transition from mirror to mirror?

How far away does the picture start to distort?

I am very interested in this option, from the safety and weight aspect. Did they install, or did you?

[airhorse]

Looks like we will be ordering several panels from glassless mirror. Will let you know how they are.

[CFFarm]

I had a guy send me a sample of the glassless a few years ago. It was thicker than I thought and looked promising. pricing was excellent. Never did install any mirrors and we are pretty much retired to trail riding these days. I’m curious about how they hold up in Florida between the heat and humidity.

[airhorse]

Mirrors arrived, very impressed so far. Optical quality is great, my only worry will be how to clean them without scratching.

[Crockpot]

[QUOTE=airhorse;8991850]
Mirrors arrived, very impressed so far. Optical quality is great, my only worry will be how to clean them without scratching.[/QUOTE]

yes. I have this issue too- Hate cleaning them because so easy to scratch them. Also a problem when people let their horses drag their noses over the mirrors- more scratches.

Maybe someone will give us some tips.

[merrygoround]

Glass mirrors do not scratch, but it is still annoying when riders allow horses to nose them. And it could be a problem if a bit from a tossing head decided to break them. People can be so clueless.

I will be interested to hear how the mylar holds up. The glass mirrors here don’t grab much dust, so only need washing once or twice a year, using the hose spray set up by Windex.

[Crockpot]

Mine are glass and yes they can scratch.

[airhorse]

Update, they have no scratch resistance at all. Extreme care must be taken, just touching them will leave marring. The only option to clean them will be compressed air. If a horse touches them, they will be ruined.

[goldenrow]

[QUOTE=airhorse;8995811]
Update, they have no scratch resistance at all. Extreme care must be taken, just touching them will leave marring. The only option to clean them will be compressed air. If a horse touches them, they will be ruined.[/QUOTE]

Do you think plexiglass would protect them? Would it distort the picture? Any other ideas to protect them?

[airhorse]

Plexi would not work. The only way to protect them is going to be keeping them out of reach.