Common Breeds in Ponyplay

Breeds of Human Ponies in Pony Play

Written by cPony on Feb 14 2008
Last updated on Apr 6 2025

Some ponies will identify with other real-life equids (e.g. zebras, donkeys), and other ponies will identify with fictional and mythical equids (e.g. unicorn). In addition, human ponies will often have a color and markings for their pony person (e.g. bay Thoroughbred with a blaze and two socks). I have compiled a brief list covering what I believe to be the most common breeds (both fictional and real) encontered in ponyplay.

Alicorn - A winged unicorn (e.g. a combination of a Pegasus and a Unicorn). Similar to the Pegasus below, human Alicorns will often have costumed wings accompanied by a unicorn mask/hood, and are also quite at home in carousel bondage pony, as well as suspension bondage, scenes.

American Quarter Horse - As their name implies, quarter horses are well suited to short distance sprinting (quarter mile) and, like Thoroughbreds, are used as both race horses and general sport horses. While probably most known for their dominant role in many western disciplines, they can also be found in many english disciplines as well.

Arabian - An old breed known for its endurance, unique head shape, and high tail carriage, Arabian bio-horses have a rich history and hold a strong influence on the bloodlines of other breeds such as Thoroughbreds and the American Quarter Horse.

Clydesdale - A breed of draft horse, with the Budweiser Clydesdales probably being the most famously known examples of the breed. In my personal experience, many ponies who identify as Clydesdales are of larger build, a human pony is not at all restricted by their physical stature, and I would love to see some smaller statured human Clydesdales!

Donkey - Donkeys are not a breed of horse, but they are equids. Bio-donkeys are often used as pack animals, and human donkeys are likewise often those who enjoy the working aspects of pony play (e.g. being used as a pack animal), being loaded up with heavish loads and carrying them (can be either while fully tacked up or with minimal tack, such as only a bit gag and some hand hooves or cuffs). In addition, bio-donkeys are seen as being more obstinate than horses, thus some ponyplayers may incorporate this personality aspect into their play, requiring a more forceful hand from their trainer or owner before they obey.

Mule - A cross between a horse and a donkey. A bio-mule tends to have temperment somewhere between a donkey and a horse: being less stubborn than a donkey but moreso than a mule.

Pegasus - A winged horse encountered in classical Greek mythology. Since ponyplayers are not limited to extant species, there are some who identify as Pegasi/Pegasuses. However, the scope of the roleplay is often limited to the aesthetic aspects, including costuming and gear, with the wings displaying varying degrees of elaborateness. Since a large aspect of the Pegaus persona lies in the aesthetics, they lend themselves well to carousel pony and suspension bondage scenes.

Thoroughbred - A breed of horse most commonly known from horse racing, Thoroughbreds are hot-blooded and associated with speed and agility. Outside of racing, Thoroughbreds are trained and compete in many english disciplines.

Unicorn - A mythical creature that has the overall form of an equid but with a distinctive spiralling horn emanting directly from the forehead. Although frequently unicorns have cloven hooves and a long, lion-like tail, with a tuft at the end.

Zebras - They are not a breed of horse, but they are equids, and there are a few human ponies that identify with zebras (either primarily or as an alternate pony persona). Zebras are fairly small: they are typically 12.2-13 hands, which is well under the commonly used definition of a pony (mature horse that is 14.2 hands). Their distinctive coloring and wild nature are two characteristics that separate them from domesticated horses.