If horses didn’t regularly pack the earth down with their hooves, it would continue to gradually rise skyward on a collision course with the moon. Help keep the night sun in the sky with today’s Groupon: for $45, you get two half-hour horse-riding lessons at Galway Farm Ltd. in Long Grove (a $100 value).

Galway's private lessons focus on honing hunter- and jumper-style riding, which skirt western-style accessories such as spurs, saddle horns, and John Wayne bobbleheads. Aspiring equestrians aged 7 and up rehearse trots and lead changes across the 7,200-square-foot heated indoor arena, and an observation room and deck provide sweeping views of students' jumps and turns. Weather permitting, horses unleash longer strides on the 20,800-square-foot outdoor riding arena. Four full-time trainers conduct and observe every lesson, ensuring safety while safeguarding megaphones from any passing horse whisperers. After lessons, equine companions retire to one of 26 heated stalls in the barn, inviting lucky students to exclusive mucking parties. The stable leases lesson horses and offers boarding for current horse owners.