Experts say horses have been used for many years to connect with people in a way no human every could. That’s exactly what happened Friday morning to some local children, with special needs, who found the courage to hop in the saddle.

All it took was a few minutes behind the reins of some loving horses to get some very special kids with Down Syndrome smiling from ear to ear.

"Really what we wanted to do is just to connect these kids with the horses,” Toni Mattson, with the Trinity Equestrian Center in Eau Claire said.

Mattson says the gentle animals have a way of connecting with both children and adults, regardless of who they are or where they come from.

Mattson said, "the expression is, horses don't lie. And really what that means is that they will respond to you how you come to them. If you come with affection and authenticity, they will match you and then some."

Mattson says when kids and adults with special needs spend time with the horses here at the center, its therapeutic and so much more.

"They are able to break down the barriers, penetrate on a level we could never get to and just soften the hearts and boost the confidence and boost the self-esteem and really make an impact, life-long impact on kids."

Peggy Crank of Chippewa Falls says her 8-year-old son Kyle will likely be talking about his time in the saddle for days to come.

"He's very excited. He loved it. He took to it very well,” Crank said. "It's great for the kids, it's great for the community, it's great for awareness of children with special needs."

And you never know who may have a future as a cowgirl.

Mattson says the Trinity Equestrian Center has been the host facility for the Therapeutic Riding of Eau Claire – or TREC – for five years now.

If you’ve like to get your special needs child involved in the structured riding program, you can contact Mattson at 715-835-4530.