Mirror Mirror on the Wall

Mirror Mirror on the Wall... this week's schooling idea: Workig with mirrors. Mirrors are great. Even the most confident and accomplished rider needs to be able to SEE straightness to be sure it's there, so see changes, footfalls in piro...uettes...or just a halt. But not every indoor has them, or if you don't have an indoor, you might not know how to afford them. As the winter approaches, here are a few ideas that will help you find your reflection, from cheapest to most expensive. 1) Shadows. Seriously. You can evaluate a square halt, sometimes even a clean change at the right time of day with the right light. With practice you can "check yourself out" wen you know just where to ride the movement in your outdoor arena. (But don't get in the habit of looking down!) 2) contact a nearby farm that has an indoor with mirrors and set up a monthly schooling rate to trailer in. If you can coordinate the times for the least busy evenings or morning, before the trainer arrives or on their day off, you will be able to close your eyes now and then and pretend it's yours! 3) The Early Christmas Present. Home Depot and Lowes both sell mirrored closet doors. Buying one pair gives you and inexpensive alternative. They are, however, difficult to "aim" so you'll need to ask for some help when you mount them. In a sheltered area, yet work just fine outside. 4) the real deal: Gyms and Dance studios use large plate glass mirrors. While they take considerable muscle to mount, they are your best option for distortion-free images (ahem, DQs). They need to be installed correctly but can last a life time, especially in a warmer climate or obviously, in an indoor. You might be able to get your greedy little paws on some used mirrors if you search craigslist and are willing to drive them home at about 5 mph... 5) Science fiction mirrors: there are several companies that sell lightweight Mylar mirrors (Mylar reflective film stretched on a frame) like acrylic mirrors, they do have a lot of distortion, but they are easy to install and lightweight when you don't have a strong structure to mount them on. I would, however, be careful you don't have any birds that fly into them....they tear quite easily, and at their hefty cost, replacement is pricey.