Just an FYI, that you may already know. I didn't till the past year. But I was told by my vet, and learned from Martha Josey, and Clinton Anderson, that backing a horse is a good way to strengthen backs. MJ, and CA, both said a horse should be able to back the length of an arena several times (maybe not in a row) in a work out. Of course you can't expect them to do that right off the bat, but build up to it.
I do understand the dilemma you are in about the buting...it would be a hard call, that would drive me nutty:). Yeah, I understood after my visit why you may be concerned about wind:)...Having the trees a little further away may have some advantages...but I'd still have to have some. They are just so awesome...and I don't mean that word like teens use it now a days...they are awesome as the word is meant to be used:) Becky
Good tip on the backing... I did not know that.