By Peter Berton

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Pony play, during which humans wear bridles and bits and pretend they’re horses while other humans act as their trainers, is a kink TV producers love to throw into broadcasts for the visual value during ratings seasons. The fetish itself is a legitimate part of the BDSM community. Devotees are very serious and devoted to a series of rules derived from real-world horse care and training.

One player who goes by the moniker cpony is determined to demystify the lifestyle. To that end, he operates an in-depth website where the curious may get the “inside scoop” about the fetish.

YNOT.com: To give folks a little context, when you’re not in full-on fetish mode, you’re a “regular guy,” aren’t you?

cpony: I’m a 31-year-old male living in San Francisco. Although I have traveled a reasonable amount and lived in other cities, I have spent the majority of my life in the Bay Area. I love the water — swimming, scuba diving, and I’m finally learning how to surf — photography, horseback riding and spending time outdoors. Inside the bedroom, I enjoy BDSM — mostly the B with a little M — and especially love pony play. I identify as a switch and enjoy both topping and bottoming.

I started my website because I’m enthusiastic about the subject and I really wanted to share my enthusiasm with others. I see my site as simply relaying my experience with pony play and what has worked — or not — for me over the years. Mine is just one way to play, and I try to stress that on my site, because the last thing I ever want to do is turn someone off of pony play because they feel that my — or anyone else’s — way is the only way.

What precisely is pony play?

My own working definition of pony play is “an activity where at least one participant intentionally acts, and/or is treated, like a horse.” Obviously, that’s quite broad and specifically intended to include ponies who prefer to play with other ponies, as opposed to a trainer.

However, I would say a lot of pony play focuses on the horse-human dynamic of domesticated equines, where one person is the horse and will often wear some items to look the part — tail, ears, hooves, in addition to tack similar to what would be used on a horse, like bit, bridle and harness. The other person trains or handles him. This can be anything from simply taking the pony’s reins and leading him around the house for five minutes to a serious workout with the pony pulling a heavy, fully-laden cart for miles. It could also be a trip to the veterinarian — pony play’s equivalent to medical play — or pretty much anything else you would do with a biological horse.

Inherent in mirroring the relationship between a horse and a human is an exchange of power. Horses are physically powerful, but while they are certainly not always obedient, they are controlled by humans through equipment and training. Indeed, the life of a domesticated horse is a life of bondage and submission. Humans expect horses to be willingly led around and ridden. All of that is carried over into pony play.

Additionally, pony play involves, by definition, dehumanization. However, there is a good deal of variation in how the pony feels about the experience. Being dehumanized and treated like an animal can be humiliating for some and liberating for others.

At its heart, pony play is simply using a human in place of a horse, but the practical aspects of how it’s implemented, how each player feels and what each gets out of a scene are as wonderfully varied as the ponies and handlers themselves.

What misconceptions do people have about the fetish?

I think one of the most common misconceptions is that pony play requires a huge time and financial commitment. I think some people may be interested in trying it, but they see elaborate outfits and training routines and perceive there to be a high barrier to entry to get started. In fact, a simple length of rope can easily be fashioned into a bit and bridle.

What are the roles in pony play, and what do they offer the participants?

There are two basic levels a person can assume in pony play: human or horse/pony, which would be akin to top and bottom, or Dom and sub, respectively. The particulars vary from scene to scene and from individual to individual, but the pony generally is expected to obey the trainer’s commands, which are issued through the reins and crop as well as verbally. The trainer teaches the pony a new gait or has him practice ones previously taught. For carting, the trainer needs to steer to pony.

Of course, the basic roles of human and horse are further subdivided into many others and keep with the equestrian theme of the play. For example, the top in pony play can be an owner, trainer, rider or veterinarian. Ponies are also often subdivided by discipline or interest: show pony, cart pony, riding pony, for example. Most roles are not mutually exclusive. Many ponies have multiple interests, and a pony’s owner can also be his trainer.

Is the niche generally accepted, or is it just a little beyond most people’s boundaries?

Superficially, I would say it’s gaining acceptance. Qualitatively, there seems to have been an increase in the use of the “human horse” in music videos and live performances. Whether it’s the heavier BDSM portrayal seen in Nine Inch Nails’ “Help Me I am in Hell” video or the lighter, but arguably more sexualized, portrayals seen in some of Madonna’s performances — or even just Lady Gaga walking around in hoof boots — pony play is getting more exposure in the popular culture.

However, it could also be argued that artists and performers have chosen to use some pony play items because they view pony play as “edgy” — not because they think the public is more accepting of pony play.

Nevertheless, there are quite a few events tailored specifically for pony play, and with the increasing ability for people to network and organize through social media, it seems the number of events and attendees has progressively increased.

Is there any market for adult content involving pony play? What do people want to see?

I think there’s always a desire for high-quality photos and videos of most pony play activities. However, people approach pony play from different angles so it’s hard to give a one-size-fits-all answer.

Personally, I enjoy the visual appeal in addition to the bondage and control aspects. I also enjoy seeing spirited ponies, so I’d be the first to watch a video clip of a well-turned-out pony in hoof boots and an elaborate harness putting up a bit of resistance to a trainer.

Also, I like hearing about others’ experiences, and I think many other people do, as well. It’s great to hear about someone’s most recent scene and what they felt was right or wrong about it, or to read about their opinion about a piece of equipment.

Does pony play offer untapped opportunities for adult content producers?

One largely untapped area is quality media portraying male ponies with either female or male trainers. One of the more common questions I get on my site is whether I know of anywhere to find photos or videos of men being trained in pony play. I’d love to be able to refer people to a “pets and pony boys” or “kinky pony boys” site.