Setting up mirrors outdoors

Does anyone have any suggestions or tips for constructing a framework for a free standing mirror set up (2 mirrors, each approx 5' tall by 8'wide, I want to put them together at the end of the centre line on my outdoor arena).

I am thinking of a framework with big wooden posts. Simplicity preferred!

How do you get the right angle, and get the mirrors to stay put? What is the best height?

If you have any experiences with this sort of thing, please share them here!

Thanks :-)

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Permalink Reply by Bernd on February 18, 2009 at 8:01am

Lucky you!
Living in a place where that can even be considered.
Over here in Germany the wheather will just make it useless most of the time.

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Permalink Reply by Brenda Bowle-Evans on March 3, 2009 at 6:33pm

I have had outdoor mirrors for going on 25+ years. Here is what I did. We constructed a timber fame arrangement to hang the mirrors off of. The mirrors hang from chains and use the arena rail as a edge for the bottom. You may have to either add extra blocking or shave the rail somewhat to get the angle that you want the mirror to point at. To get that point get on your horse and get someone else to adjust the mirror to the right angle. When you are certain of the angle you will probably want to block the bottom front edge of the mirror to keep it from banging. Hopefully your spot is not too wind as the mirror is a huge solid wind block. For the actual mirror we placed it on treated plywood, used mirror clips and then siliconed around the mirror edges, so the water doesn't get behind the glass. Only go around the outside not under the mirror - if you go under the mirror with your silcone you will get waves and distortions in the mirror - the 1st mirror I put up had that mistake. If you are putting two mirrors side by side leave a gap for the wind to go through. You may also want to have your mirrors go the other way around as you will find that you are not in the mirror for very long - you will also have to decide if you want to look mainly at the rider or the horses legs - it will make a difference to how you set the angle. Good luck, I've been very happy with mine (I live in Canada and the mirrors have all the different weathers a northern climate can get).

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Permalink Reply by Ottilie on March 15, 2009 at 5:10pm

Thank you, that is very helpful. I had not thought about leaving a gap for the wind to get through, but I think it's a great idea. I haven't done them yet, but will try to post some pics when they are up.