Like all domesticated animals, horses require human guidance to keep from brushing against barbed wire, eating poisonous rocks, and galloping triumphantly into the ocean. Take the reins with today's Groupon: for $25, you get a one-hour trail ride for two at Arnold Estates Equestrian and Log Cabin Resort in Sevierville (a $50 value).

Tucked away on 100 acres just outside Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Arnold Estates mounts cowpersons of any caliber on amiable broncos for a one-hour walk, trot, canter, and lindy hop over scenic ridge tops and picturesque valley bottoms. Certified barn managers facilitate the friendship of human and horse, showing english or western riders the ropes and sending a couple of cowpokes-for-a-day on their way across miles of marked riding trails of various difficulties, with maps of the area and inspirational posters of the Sundance Kid available on request. As steadfast steeds sure-footedly navigate the terrain, equestrian counterparts can look out for frolicking forest critters, listen to the nearby creek, or politely tip an imaginary ten-gallon hat each time a ladybug flies by.