Physical and emotional benefits: Horseback riding proves therapeutic at Vision Farm

Jack Castro enjoys weekly rides on Batman, a quarter horse at Vision Farm. Owned and operated by Michelle Kinoshita and Kalia Goo, lessons at the farm help students strengthen their core and improve balance. (COURTESY PHOTO/VISION FARM)

Ellen Pavitt receives a kiss from Batman after a recent class. She believes he can read human emotions and respond to them. (LANDRY FULLER/SPECIAL TO WEST HAWAII TODAY)

Lynn Holman is aided mounting a horse at Vision Farm Wednesday. Michelle Kinoshita and Nancy Bloomfield have made it possible for paraplegic clients to ride horses under Therapeutic Horsemanship of Hawaii. (LIZ NAKAYAMA/SPECIAL TO WEST HAWAII TODAY)

WAIMEA — Michelle Kinoshita and her daughter, Kalia Goo, are among the lucky ones. They love what they do for a living and can’t wait to go to work.