How many arena mirrors in a 20 x 40?

meardsall_millie

meardsall_millie

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As much as I'd love to have a lovely row of mirrors all along one side of my school, I'm afraid I didn't win the lottery last night so it's not going to happen (and I suppose it's also a *bit* OTT for a 2-horse amateur as well :o).

So how many (few) mirrors could I get away with in a 20 x 40 school - with a view to them actually being useful and not just somewhere to check my lippie as I trot past? :rolleyes:

I was thinking possibly 3 - one at the end of a long side, one at C, and one at B or E? Or is there a better way?

Also - how much (approx) would I be looking at and any mirror companies to recommend or avoid please?
 
having spent all summer asking people with mirrors which ones they use, I have found that the minimum you can get away with is one!

I have a few friends that have one down each long side and one on the centre line - and the centre line is the one they use 90% of the time.

So I'm hoping to save up and buy one for early next year :)

hope that helps!

Mirrors for training look like a v good company - I think one 8 x 4 would cost around £500 (delivered and installed?)
 
We have three across C - they go about two thirds of the width of the school. One or two at C would be good. You can ride straight towards checking straightness or lateral work. And watch yourself side on on both reins. We got ours from Equestrian Reflections and they are brilliant. On a metal frame so no warping. Still good as new after 2 years.
 
I could only afford one and so had it at E, so I can see myself on 20m circles and also when going down the long side, if I get another one it will be at the top corner of one long side so I can horrify myself with how "not straight" we are! Its on the "list of things to buy at some point if feeling flush but not urgent!" Mine was 2nd hand! Bought by a friend but surplus to requirements. I picked it up from her in a trailer and my "man who can" mounted it onto a wooden frame for me. its been invaluable with the riding school teaching, wish we had got one before, great for assisting novice riders who can't yet feel their own balance/weight distribution/position. We also teach sidesaddle and it is so so useful to point out to the rider how they should look, where they are going wrong.
 
Chatting to a dressage judge/trainer this week, she reckons if you can only afford one or two, they should go at B or E as you can use them in so many different places whilst schooling.
 
I think if it were me and I could stretch to 3 I'd have them on the short side - really useful for checking straightness on the centre or 3/4 line and also for lateral work plus you can see yourself all the way round a 20m circle :)
 
Thank you for your thoughts so far everyone, some differences of opinion already which *ahem* mirror the discussions I was having with Horsemad12 yesterday!

It's such a difficult choice and not one you want to get wrong!

Unfortunately I've been rather spoilt by going for dressage lessons in an amazing school with mirrors all the way along one side.

Maybe I just need to keep choosing those 6 numbers every Saturday night and keeping my fingers very tightly crossed .... :D
 
one mirror is better than none in any arena mirror can potentially help you coach your clients, from the moment you install they make your schooling twice as effective as you can access straightness, outline and quality of movement though sight rather than just feel.

its great to have Verticals on the corners and horizontal at C

you can always add to them what ever configuration you can afford
 
PJ's yard has just one at the end of a long side, which is great for checking straightness and for SI, Traver etc... However, that, one at C and one at E would be my choice :D
 
One of the trainers I have lessons with just has one huge one from just beyond C out to the corner (maybe they are all this size but have only seen a line of them before so can't see the size of each one!)

It's good as you can see up the long side and on a circle, but agree 3 would be optimum. At £500 a pop, if I got one I'd be laughing!
 
if you have one at the end of the long side, then you would need a second one on the other side, otherwise you would only see one rein

let me know if you find a good quote
 
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