Vaquero Style Mane Hair Mecates
Posted by John Brand on
A new mecate is pretty, but an old mecate is beautiful. All of the hair prickles are worn off, so the pattern is very crisp and distinct. The colors are still as bright as the day it was made. There may be dander and dirt, showing where it has rubbed many a horse's neck, but that just gives it character!
Mane hair mecates are a natural alternative to synthetic fiber mecates. They are comparable in price, and yet have a longer usable life.
Below is a simple list of the benefits of having mane hair mecates:
Mane hair is very strong, yet not as heavy as other materials, lighter mecate, lighter horse.
Mane hair, unlike synthetic material, is not broken down by ultraviolet radiation.
Mane hair, as natural animal fibers, soften with age and use.
Since mane hair is slick, hard and relatively non-porous, items made from them stay cleaner longer and are easier to clean when they do need it.
A Mecate, made and maintained well, will last a lifetime and longer. There is nothing quite like a good mane hair mecate. They have weight, but not too much, they are balanced, and a truly good one has a life of its own.
Below is a list of the disadvantages associated with synthetic mecates:
Nylon, yacht braid and braided parachute cord, polyester and polypropylene are all heavier than alpaca or mane hair.
All synthetic materials are broken down by ultraviolet radiation from the sun, which makes them stiffen as they age. Many people think the ropes are stiff because they are dirty, and commonly think washing them will solve the problem. However, the stiffness is actually caused by the material breaking down.
All synthetics and plant fibers, such as cotton or rayon, are slightly rough. This allows sweat and dirt to adhere to them and it doesn't take long for them to get dirty.
Mane hair mecates have a timeless quality with character! Head on over to our website to browse out selection of metates and hackamore set ups.