"Mane" Advantages

There are a number of advantages mane hair has over other materials.

Mane hair is very strong, yet not as heavy as other materials

Nylon (yacht braid and braided parachute cord), polyester and polypropylene are all heavier than mane hair. If you weight two ropes of the same length and diameter, the mane hair one weighs less. Lighter mecate, lighter horse.
Mane hair, unlike synthetic materials, is not broken down by UV radiation

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 think washing them will solve the problem, but it is actually the rope breaking down. Mane hair does the exact opposite, it softens with age and use.
The hair fiber is smooth and slick, so it stays cleaner than more porous materials

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. Since mane hair is slick, hard and relatively non-porous, they stay cleaner longer and are easier to clean when they do need it.
A well made, well maintained mecate will last a lifetime and longer