Here folklore and tradition of the Mam people are little diluted by modern day conveniences. Again, hiking the Cuchumatanes can be a tough or relaxed, as you want to make it. Everything that can be done hiking can generally be done on horseback, though obviously costs will increase. Mules or donkeys to carry belongings will accompany most hiking trips, and these animals can also be ridden off and on. None the less, for long trips, only horses or ponies will do, leaving just the luggage to the mules.
Horses are available for all the treks mentioned above.
The jungle treks tend to be hard on horses due to the tropical climate and parasites, and after a few hours you may feel you should have walked in the first place. The further away from civilisation you go, generally the scrawnier the equine population tends to get. In this case, the Cuchumatanes on horseback may not be the best experience you have ever had. On the other hand, in Antigua and Lake Atitlan there are fine riding stables with healthy, happy horses only too willing to gallop off with you into the sunset, or to the mountains, volcanoes, green valleys or remote indian villages that tourists rarely visit. It may not be Indiana Jones, but there again, it will be a unique experience in spectacular scenery with an opportunity to encounter at first hand ancient traditions of the colourful indigenous people.