Contrary to conventional wisdom, one can in fact look a gift horse in the mouth, now that the mouth no longer houses the retina-scorching nuclear reactor that powers the horse. Get an eyeful of equine incisors with today’s Groupon: for $50, you get a 60-minute horseback trail ride for two from Willow Tree Stables in Novato (a $100 value).

During guided tours, the experienced staff at Willow Tree Stables herds a small group of riders along sun-dappled trails amid 3,000 acres of Marin County's Open Space. The tours, which depart four times daily Tuesday–Sunday, allow explorers to trot past statuesque redwoods and lush greenery aboard gentle horses who whinny out directions to tour guides. The equine emporium's perch near the ocean lends itself to prime sightseeing opportunities, and sweeping views of high hilltops inspire the particularly eloquent journal entries of stallions.