Horses were once considered man’s best friend, but after the invention of the dog, the horse was rebranded as man’s eccentric, oat-obsessed uncle. Take a journey with the kindest of kinsmen with today's Groupon: for $22, you get a one-hour group horseback-riding lesson at Fox Meadow Farms in Naperville (a $45 value).

Equipped with an average of 10 years of teaching experience, the knowledgeable instructors at Fox Meadow Farms teach bipeds to tame galloping four-leggers on a tree-lined 68-acre property. Encompassing two indoor arenas, eight all-weather paddocks, and a 1/3-mile cross-country course, the facilities provide plenty of space for students to get a feel for the saddle. During the one-hour group lesson, experienced equiners tutor both beginners and advanced riders on how to walk, trot, and parallel park. The farm limits classes to groups of five or fewer to make sure teachers can interact with each student personally.