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Pony Play FAQ
By Lord Sabre
This document is copyrighted 1998-2006 by Todd H. ©.
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Summary: This Frequently Asked Questions list (FAQ) answers questions
regarding the pony play fetish as an activity between consenting adults.
Revision History: Version 1.0 - July, 1998: Original.
Version 1.1: October, 1998: Updated some URLs.
Version 1.2: August, 1999: Updated some URLs.
Version 1.3: February, 2000: Updated URLs and added info about ponyplay groups
across the US.
Version 1.4: January, 2001: Updated URLs and added new background (Thanks
Mustang!)
Version 1.5: March, 2005: Updated URLs.
Last-modified: March, 2005 - Version: 1.5
Contributors: Ariel of CTSM, Mistress Autumn, The PonyGroom, and Paul Reed.
This document is copyrighted 1998-2006 by Todd H. ©. Please do not copy or
reproduce any of this document without permission.
If you have any comments and/or suggestions about this FAQ, email me at thawley at
tdl.com. However due to past poor experiences with the print and broadcast media, I no
longer respond to emails from media sources.
Click on any question to go to the answer for it.
* This FAQ is listed at FETBOT.
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I. Introduction.
1. A little about myself.
2. Why a Ponyplay FAQ?
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II. What Ponyplay is and isn't.
3. What is Ponyplay?
4. When did it first start? Where did it start?
5. Why would people engage in this kind of play?
6. What types of ponies are there?
7. Are there male & female ponies?
8. Are there safewords used?
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III. Clothing/Equipment.
9. Clothing?? You mean I have to buy clothing for this?
10. What kind of equipment do I need?
11. Where do I find it?
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IV. Training, exercise and nutrition for ponies.
12. Training.
13. Exercise.
14. What are some common injuries and symptoms that new ponies might get?
15. Nutrition.
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V. PonyGrooms.
16. What is a PonyGroom?
17. What's the difference between a Groom, Master and Trainer?
18. Does the Groom ever have conflict with the Master/Top/Trainer? What happens, do
you defer?
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VI. Places to Find Out More.
19. Where can I find a ponygirl? ponyboy?
20. What about other web sites?
21. Other net resources?
22. Magazines?
23. Books?
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VII. Acknowledgements.
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I. Introduction
1. A little about myself.
I am Todd H. I identify as a Male Dominant and live in the San Francisco Bay Area. I
have been involved in the local scene for fifteen years as a member of the Society of
Janus, a San Francisco BDSM educational/support group. I also was their WebMaster
for four years and wrote a history of the group in 1999. I have had an interest in pony
play for ten years now.
2. Why a Ponyplay FAQ?
In my searches across the 'net for ponyplay related material, I found a few sites that
were good and had some information, but none of them had a centralized place for
general information about this fetish. It was my thought that having a FAQ for ponyplay
which carried some general information and linked to other pony play sites would be a
good idea. Question 20 of this FAQ lists a few other sites.
II. What Ponyplay is and isn't
3. What is Ponyplay?
Ponyplay is a form of BDSM and/or fetish playing, and role playing. It is an exchange of
power between two people, one who assumes the Master/Mistress role and the other
becomes his/her "bottom." In ponyplay, the bottom becomes a "human pony." It is a
special interest area of BDSM. It can combine bondage, discipline, Dominance and
submission, even a little Sadomasochism.
Ponyplay is NOT about abuse, nonconsensual humiliation, or bestiality play.
4. When did it first start? Where did it start?
There seems to be differing opinions about this. There is evidence that shows Aristotle
loved to be ridden like a pony by women. He may indeed have been the first ponyboy.
According to Mistress Autumn, "Pony play originated in the 1800s during the Victorian
era, with dancers of a certain "ilk" performing on stage dressed in short skirts, tassels,
bells and feathers. These were the earliest "fleshly" pony girls, but they were derivative
of common erotic fetish of the time - quite a few of the older periodicals and
monographs dealt with the concept of the degraded or disciplined ponygirl, and in fact,
the Brits are far ahead of us on this concept."
There are also rumors that King Ibram II who ruled most of the area that now makes up
Turkey in the 16th century had his own stable of ponygirls and a few ponyboys.
England in the 16th century used young girls as "ponygirls" to draw coals out of mines
because they were small enough to fit in the mine shaft. Right before the US Civil War,
young women in the United States were used as "beasts of labor." In the early 20th
century, Russian aristocrats used young peasant women as carriage ponies. However,
it's clear these "ponygirls" were being used in a very nonconsensual manner.
There are also rumors dating back to the 16th century of young women (ages 14-18) in
boarding schools run by men being turned into ponygirls nonconsensually. This
apparently hit a peak in the period between 1880 to 1930 when several scandals erupted
after it was discovered that these young women were being "used" as ponygirls by the
men running these schools, and as a result many boarding schools were shut down.
In the 1950's in the United States, John Willie wrote about human ponies in the Bizarre
series of books and magazines. In the 1980's a movie called the Perils of Gwendolyne
came out and it features about a five minute segment where topless women are used to
pull chariots around an underground kingdom. It starts Tawny Kitean, and while the big
video/DVD chain stores probably don't carry it, you should be able to find it around.
So it appears that while ponyplay became a hot fetish in the late 1990's, it's one that's
been around for quite a long time.
5. Why would people engage in this kind of play?
As with any other form of BDSM play, if you asked ten different ponyplay enthusiasts
this question, you probably would get ten different answers! Paul Reed, who publishes
Equus Eroticus puts it this way: "What I find exciting about ponyplay is that I enjoy
having the exchange of power: one person giving another the right and/or privilege
and/or honor of being dominant. Women and ponies are probably the most beautiful
creatures on earth. It's a tremendous feeling of satisfaction and eroticism out of
ponyplay. I have them do whatever I say. I can have them go left or go right, or I can
get off them and just spend time grooming them or whatever. They are completely at
my disposal."
6. What types of ponies are there?
There are probably three main kind of ponies: Cart, Riding and Show ponies.
Cart ponies are trained to pull carts or chariots, like the ones in the Perils of Gwendolyne
video.
Riding ponies are ponies that can actually be ridden. Usually there are more men as
riding ponies than there are women, simply because some women can't handle the
weight, although Paul tells me some of the most petite women actually make the best
riding ponies.
Show ponies are ponies that are based on their appearance, their form and style.
There are also subcategories of ponies, like rubber ponies, humiliation or "pleasure"
ponies (used for sexual gratification), and "sissy" ponies (men dressed up as women). In
the John Willie Bizarre series, there's even mention of "banner" ponies (ponies with
some kind of advertising draped across them).
7. Are there male & female ponies?
Most definitely. Even though this FAQ is admittedly biased toward ponygirls, what little
evidence there is available seems to indicate there are just as many (if not more)
ponyboys as there are ponygirls. Which probably is a good thing, except there may be
many more men eager to train and ride ponygirls than there are women eager to either
become a ponygirl or to ride ponyboys!
8. Are there safewords used?
Yes, but since a pony isn't allowed to talk, there has to be some non-verbal action used
to indicate a safeword. Paul uses what he calls a "safe action," which consists of the
pony tapping their right hand on the ground or floor twice, which means "get off me
now!" Since the pony usually has a bit in his/her mouth, traditional safewords can't be
used, so either the "safe action" Paul uses or some series of grunts should be used.
Sometimes you can tell when a pony has had enough. If your pony is shaking for
example, that's a good indication they are tired and you should stop play.
As with any other form of play, aftercare is VERY important. This can be softly
caressing, stroking or holding your pony or generally whatever kind of aftercare you do
with any form of BDSM play.
III. Clothing/Equipment
9. Clothing?? You mean I have to buy clothing for this??
It depends. You and your pony can frolic in the nude, have her in lingerie or a French
maid's outfit, or have her in full saddle. You can be nude, in your underwear or wear a
complete uniform. It's up to you and your pony. For this reason, ponyplay can be one of
the most expensive fetishes around.
10. What kind of equipment do I need?
Again, it all depends on what you and your pony want to use. You could conceivably
"climb on her back" and ride off together with no more than a silk string as your leash,
or you could go all out and buy a bitgag, blinders, a saddle and so forth and spend
hundreds if not thousands of dollars. One thing I absolutely suggest getting if you have a
riding pony is a pair of knee pads, preferably the kind carpet installers use. You can find
them at places like Home Depot ™. This is to protect your ponies' knees. Cart and
show ponies probably don't need the knee pads, since they're not normally on their
hands and feet.
11. Where do I find it?
You can find some ponyplay equipment (like crops and dressage whips, f.e.) at Western
tack stores. However, items like bitgags should be bought at places like The Water Hole
in Connecticut.
Two other places I've heard of are:
Reactor Rubberware in Australia.
Aslan Leathers. They make great female harnesses.
IV. Training, exercise and nutrition for ponies, and Ponygrooms
(My heartfelt thanks to Ariel, formerly of CTSM in Chicago for supplying this section,
along with the sections on exercise, treating injuries and nutrition).
12. Training.
Beginning ponies, whether they are cart, riding or show ponies, generally need to work
on their endurance and balance. While most human fetish ponies aren't being galloped
(run at great distances like a real horse) the fetish tack is often hot, initially cumbersome,
and often it takes time to acclimate the pony to having his or her arms constricted (in a
more classic pony fetishist style). Beginning ponies need to learn how to walk properly,
lifting the knees in an inverted-gamma style (an upside-down L), with the upper leg
perpendicular to the floor.This walk is the basic first command for any kind of fetish
pony, and is harder than it looks. Good shoes are essential - therefore, it is best to begin
your human pony with flat shoes or boots with a level (not a spike) heel. Spike heels and
tall boots (with heels) are best reserved for experienced ponies on flat, indoor surfaces.
Intermediate ponies have learned to acclimate themselves to their tack and shoes and
also their Master's commands and style of command (quick, slow, or varied). In addition
to the Walk command, trainers may now add Back (walking backwards, slowly, still
lifting each leg in the inverted-gamma style) Show (kneeling dressage style, with one leg
extended gracefully forward) Trot (fast walk) and, for all-fours riding ponies, Gallop
(quick crawl). The photos below show two female ponies being trained to Walk in a
classic circle-harnessing method, where each pony concentrates solely on the track
before her and has the additional companionship of another pony.
The other photograph shows the command Show, which is a dressage motion for ponies
at intermediate levels of training.
Photos courtesy of CTSM
The FAQ editor also adds: When training a new pony, GO SLOW! It's similar to the old
joke: "How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice!" <s> Always keep
safety in mind. When Paul starts training a new pony, he first asks if the pony has any
health problems, like a bad back. He never uses a bitgag during the first training session
because he wants to be able to talk to his pony, and check in with her.
Remember too the first training session may not go all that well. Don't worry if it
doesn't..just concentrate on getting to know your pony.
13. Exercise.
Most ponies can greatly benefit from additional exercise prescribed by them by their
Trainers. While it is difficult to engage in truly beneficial (aerobic) exercise while wearing
the heavy/constricting fetish tack given the human pony, some stretching and limbering
exercises derived from yoga can be beneficial to the pony who has a sound musculature
(no prior athletic injuries). ANY kind of stretching and warm up is important before
engaging in any type of strenuous physical activity.
Aerobic exercise is any exercise that involves an increased demand for oxygen -
something that gets your heart rate up for longer than 20 minutes at a time - and should
be performed at least twice a week for one month for beginning benefits. Best of all for
the beginning pony would be an exercise program involving both aerobic exercise and
anabolic (muscle-building) exercises on alternate days. Examples of this for females
would be: walking (in ordinary exercise clothing, of course) for 2 miles on Monday,
Wednesday and Friday with mild weight-lifting (5 lbs for the legs, 2 lbs for the arms) on
Tuesdays and Thursdays. It is important to alternate weight lifting days with "rest" days
in order to give the muscles time to literally rebuild in response to the extra demands of
weight lifting. Otherwise, if you continued with strict weight lifting on a daily basis, you
might injure yourself or suffer muscle loss as a result.
For men, the same type of training would apply, except that the amount of weight
training involved would probably start out at a little heavier weight. Paul told me about a
riding ponyboy he knows of who works out regularly at his gym that works his back
muscles, so that he will be more able to handle a heavier person that will be riding him.
Running is very good aerobic exercise but could be hard on the beginner. A great portion
of sports-related injuries come from runners overdoing it in the first few days of (new)
activity. Remember, once muscles are warmed up and limber, it's easier to injure
yourself by over exertion - you don't feel it until your muscles rest and have time to cool
down again. Under exertion, at least for the first few weeks, is best. Do less than you
think you can.
Weights attached to the ankles (like the popular donut-shaped neon-colored weights sold
in sports shops) are likely to do more damage than they're worth. Strained muscles,
sprained ankles (see Injuries) and falls are often associated with misuse of these
products. Make sure you know what you're doing before you use them - they aren't
recommended for use while running (these add too much weight to the feet and ankles).
Sports injuries (especially the sprained ankles that come with using too-tall shoes on a
new pony. PLEASE! Be careful with those high heels!) can create lingering problems if
not recognized and treated correctly. Generally, remembering the acronym RICE helps,
which stands for a first aid protocol: Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation(of the injured
part). When there is pain while exercising (no matter where), stop. ALWAYS stop. "No
pain, no gain" is a macho-ism that has led to many a painful and lasting injury where
none need have been. And besides, who would want to damage their property (either
your own body, or your pony)?
14. What are some common injuries and symptoms that new ponies might get?
NOTE: Some of the following information is courtesy of Aerodyn Orthotics, Inc. This
information is presented as a public service and in no way should take the place of a
physician's opinions.
Sprained ankle. Sprains happen when the foot turns the wrong way and the weight of
the body pulls the ligaments in the ankle. The severity of the sprain depends on which of
three ankle ligaments are damaged. The result is bleeding (within the muscle),
inflammation and severe pain. Symptoms, obviously, include: difficulty walking on the
injured side, swelling of the ankle, or in severe sprains, inability to walk on the foot
itself. A grading system of severity in the case of sprains helps the doctor determine
appropriate treatment:
Grade 1 involves minor damage to the ligaments (strains, mainly).
Grade 2 sprains involve damage to two of the ligaments, and more extensive tearing.
Grade 3 sprains involve damage to all the ligaments, and in severe cases can be difficult
to differentiate from a broken ankle and may need surgical repair.
To guard against sprained ankles, practice on level ground in good-quality, flat shoes or
boots and do not restrain the arms behind the pony until she's learned to keep her
balance. If you think your pony may have a sprained ankle, take off the shoe or boot
immediately, and ice the injured ankle with crushed ice wrapped in a towel or T-shirt,
and elevate the ankle above heart-level for about 30 minutes. Get your pony to a doctor
soon (within the day).. and don't use a vet, please. {s}
Shin splints. Shin splints is a term used to describe pain (sometimes very severe) in the
lower leg that occurs during exercise. The actual condition has many causes and can
affect athletes at all fitness levels. Most commonly, the pain occurs on the inside of the
shin bone, but becomes less severe during exercise, and worse again after stopping.
Beginning runners are most likely to suffer from this syndrome, or those runners who
change surfaces frequently (e.g. running on pavement, and then graveled paths), or
those who change shoes often. Consistency in exercise patterns is very important.
Treatment of shin splints includes gentle stretching exercises after running, changing of
exercise to non-weight bearing exercise (such as swimming) and the insertion of orthotics
(shoe inserts) into running shoes to support the foot. A qualified orthopedist should be
consulted.
Knee pain is common among many new athletes, related to overotation (pronation) of
the foot and subsequent change of alignment between the upper leg and lower leg bones.
The kneecap actually becomes irritated due to its change in "tracking," and often severe
pain is the result. Again, knee pain is a sign of something seriously wrong and exercise or
activity should be halted immediately. Treatment for knee pain and swelling involves
taking aspirin or other NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines), splinting of
the knee and rehabilitation exercises as prescribed by the health care practitioner.
Over the counter braces for the knee and ankle, or "wrapping" the ankles with athletic
bandages may create a false sense of confidence in the new pony or Trainer.These aids
may help a recovering injury or assist in reminding the pony to maintain correct posture
(many ponies pronate, or turn, their feet inwards towards each other without realizing it,
a common postural mistake). However, by no means should a brace or support be used
in lieu of good shoes, correct and gentle postural correction, and qualified medical help.
When purchasing a brace or support, ask: Why am I buying this? Can I do my exercise
without it? What would happen if I were without this brace? Answers to these questions
may show you that over-reliance on a brace to correct, heal, or assist in good posture
habits can help less than one might think. Always ask your medical practitioner before
using one of these devices, for there may be underlying injury that she can spot and treat
before it becomes more serious still.
15. Nutrition.
Most (American) ponies suffer from a history of poor nutrition. High fat, high salt foods
sap the vitality of a healthy pony and make training difficult. Therefore, the aim of the
Trainer should be to set a good example and to provide her charge with the best quality
nutritional support possible.
Whole foods for the pony and Trainer alike are best. This means minimizing the use of
processed (bleached and refined) flour, simple sugars, and substituting whole wheat
products, brown rice, whole grains in their place. Vegetables, fruits and grains should be
the majority - the base - of any pony's (and Trainer's) diet: think of the diet as a
pyramid, with grains, vegetables and fruits forming the broad base of the pyramid, and
meats, sweets and fats near the top in minimal quantities. This is easier to envision than
the "portion" version of suggested diets, where quantities are restricted to "portions" - a
portion is smaller than one thinks. Take the time once and measure out what a
tablespoon of butter actually is. Two of those should be one's maximum fat allocation
for the day - far less fat than is in a half-cup of macaroni and cheese, a half a cup of ice
cream, or three cups of coffee with half and half.
Making the switch to a better diet is often difficult: expect setbacks and "lapses" where
one returns to "comfort" food instead of "ideal" and "healthy" foods. The guilt alone can
often discourage a person otherwise making a good start, starting them into a tailspin
where they feel they will never be able to "make it," so why should they try?
The trick is to remember ALL food is good food. Even hot dogs, ice cream, pizza,
waffles. The fear of "bad" food versus "good" food often triggers many people to begin
terribly depressing habits of feeling guilty about not being able to stick to an overly
rigorous diet of "good" food, binging on "bad" food, and then alternating between feeling
like they're starving themselves and stuffing themselves. The idea is to slowly modify
ideas about food so that a peach is as preferable as a pizza, rice with fresh tomatoes and
chopped scallions as exciting as a burger. Guilt is slowly removed about food, and in
time, better habits and attitudes about food occur. The shift is a fundamental one about
how you feel about food, not just seeing food (and yourself) as "bad" or "good"
depending on what someone else says.
NOTE: If you as a Master or Trainer notice abnormal behaviors in your ponyslave, like
binge eating followed by guilt or purging, unreasonable food fixations, strict adherence to
an exercise program (exercising when ill, f.e.), or feelings of self-worth based on weight,
get professional help immediately! These may be signs of an eating disorder with your
pony.
Ponies (and humans) are made to graze. This means snacking on a variety of foods
throughout the day, to keep blood sugar on an even level and keep saliva flowing in the
mouth (which decreases cavities). The main idea, of course, is to keep roughly close to
the pyramid: in the summertime, seasonally fresh fruits and vegetables are plentiful and
examples are easy. In the wintertime it takes a little more ingenuity, and grains play a
larger part in the diet (which provide complex carbohydrates and a steady supply of
energy).
V. PonyGrooms.
16. What is a PonyGroom?
A Groom is a person who handles and helps a pony, but one who does not have a direct
role with the pony. The Groom does not train, ride or own him or her.
17. What's the difference between a Groom, Master and Trainer?
Again, a Groom does not take a direct role in the pony's training. A groom's role is to
"take care" of the pony, perhaps brush the ponies' hair or bathe them, and help him or
her out before and after a training session. A Master/Mistress "owns" the pony and can
be their Trainer as well. The Trainer is the person responsible for training the pony.
18. Does the Groom ever have conflict with the Master/Top/Trainer? What happens, do
you defer?
The Groom always defers to the pony's Master/Trainer, the person who is playing that
role in the pony's life. If there is a Trainer present, the Groom assists that person in
whatever way they ask.
VI. Places to find out more
19. Where can I find a ponygirl? ponyboy?
Probably the best place to meet someone that shares this fantasy is either at a BDSM
munch, BDSM group meeting or group event. There are several BDSM groups across
the country that are "friendly" to pony play, like TES in New York City, Rochester Kink
Society in Rochester, New York, and Black Rose in Washington, DC.
Various SM groups across the US have annual events (like "Beat Me In St. Louis" every
April or the Black Rose annual event every fall) that feature programs on ponyplay.
Munches are usually held at a coffee shop or restaurant and are an informal way to meet
scene-friendly people. One site that carries a list of munches throughout North America
and in some cases, worldwide is caryl's page. caryl's site also has an extensive list of SM
groups across North America, as does my own groups page.
There are also ponyplay "clubs" around the US. Here is a short list:
Ponyplay Clubs
MAP in Chicago. Email.
The Stampede! in the San Francisco Bay Area. Email.
TEC @ TES in New York City. Email.
Oregon Roundup in Portland, OR. Email.
Pony & Pet Play Organization of New England (PONE). Email.
Texas Erotic Equine Society (TEES) in Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX. Email.
De Ferre Pony Farm United Kingdom.
There's a mailing list for folks in southern California that I mention later on in this FAQ.
So it seems that thanks to the 'net, ponyplay activity and groups are gaining momentum.
20. What about other web sites?
Here are five I currently know of:
- Anvil BDSM
- Interview with Danny the Wonder pony
- myponygirl.com
- The Human Equine
- The Other Pony Club
There used to be a few sites I knew of that had ponygirl pictures. Sadly most have
vanished, and there's only one site I know of currently:
- Sir Jeff's Ponygirls
The same unfortunately seems to be true for sites with ponygirl stories. All of those sites
I used to list here have also disappeared. The only ponygirl story I know of online is
called Troika by Cobalt Jade.
If you know of any site containing ponygirl pictures or other ponyplay-related
information, Email me (address listed at the beginning of the FAQ).
21. Other net resources?
There used to be a ponyplay chat channel on IRC-Dalnet, but it appears to be defunct
now. If anyone knows of any other ponyplay online chat channels, please let me know!
Tribe.net, an online community site has their own ponyplay discussion group aka "tribe."
There are mailing lists about ponyplay. Contact ponygroom@aol.com for more about
the "worldwide" list. There's a list in southern California called the The Pony Club of
California. Email PonyClubCA@aol.com for further info.
22. Magazines?
The only one I know of is Equus Eroticus. Their address is:
MAGIC PONY PRODUCTIONS
PO Box 2408
Germantown, MD 20875-2408.
Their URL is http://www.equuseroticus.com/.
Sixteen issues have been published, however issues two and three are now out of print.
Buy an issue if you already haven't. In fact, buy all of them that you can. Back issues
can be bought at a few places, including QSM. Equus Eroticus has some great stories,
pictures, and even some information about ponyplay. And buy it too cause Paul is a
good guy. :))
23. Books?
I don't know of any "instructional" books on ponyplay. There is some fiction available,
like The House of Gord books. Another series of novels mentioning ponyplay are the
"Slave" series by Jenny Jane Pope, "Slave Genesis," "Slave Exodus," and "Slave
Judges." Also, the Anne Rice trilogy (Claiming of Sleeping Beauty, etc.) features
ponyboys and ponygirls. Apparently, a number of women first got the idea they might
enjoy being ponygirls from reading The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty.
VII. Acknowledgements
The following people (especially Paul and Ariel) were very helpful to me while I was
putting this FAQ together:
Paul Reed
Ariel
The PonyGroom
Mistress Autumn
Thank You all very much!