Evolutionary linguists like to remind children that the common phrase horse play evolved from a 17th-century all-equine production of Much Ado About Nothing that went horribly awry. Get human-horse relations back on the saddle with today's deal: for $15, you get either one private half-hour horseback-riding lesson or an hour-long group lesson at Caustelot Farms, a $35 value. This house of horsepower is about 30 minutes southwest of Pittsburgh via motor chariot in Cecil.

Use the riding lesson at Caustelot Farms for an introduction or refresher aboard the second-oldest form of transport, the first being logs with saddles. Those opting for the private session receive 30 minutes of one-on-one attention, while the longer small-group session puts cowpersons atop temporary animal companions for an hour of dusty trail hitting and hoof trotting. The small class sizes allow both beginners and experienced horse masters alike to receive the personalized attention necessary to truly learn the secrets of horse whispering.

Though finding a photogenic equine companion to pose with for your next romance-novel cover shoot is a delightful joy, breaking the news to your once-favorite '86 Volvo Wagon will be a heartbreaking aftereffect of your lesson. Classes are open to both children and adults, and the farm offers horses sized to fit all-aged riders. Students are responsible for arriving outfitted in long pants, riding boots (or hard-soled shoes with heels), and a hard hat with an attached chin-strap and harness. Call ahead to schedule your lesson.