Why I Love Ponyplay

As one of the <sarcasm>very few ponies</sarcasm> who prefers forced ponyplay with a stronger BDSM theme (as opposed to equine role play and other variants), I thought I'd share why I love it. Here's what drew me to (and kept me with) ponyplay:

1. Dehumanization (Animalization)
   Being reduced to animal status, not only that but being "forced" into that position is an integral part of my ponyplay. A human forced to behave like a horse and treated as such is the core of ponyplay for me.
2. Bondage
   Easily justified by all the various pieces of bio-horse tack (equipment used to control a bio-horse), bondage elements such as a bit and bridle, harness, hoof boots, hoof gloves, and hobbles are always present to some degree in my ponyplay. Of course, embellishments (making the bondage much more strict than could have any real parallel in bio-horse training) are made in the tack I wear.
3. Domination and Submission
   I typically play a domesticated horse, so a degree of submission from me is a natural part of my play, and my trainer's (mild to moderate) domination of me is a necessary part of play. The D/s elements in my ponyplay are there, but we don't over emphasize them (in this respect we tend to parallel bio-equine training and horsemanship): she leads me around by the reins, puts me through various gaits, etc., but she (usually) doesn't make a point of showing me just who is holding the reins.
4. Women in Riding Clothes
   English show attire has always been appealing to me. Clearly this is easily incorporated into ponyplay (assuming you like english style ponyplay - e.g. hunters, dressage, eventers). In fact even a less formal english riding look (more along the lines of schooling than showing) is appealing, but there's nothing like that show look.
5. Humiliation
   As a human forced to become an animal, this is not easily separable from dehumanization/animalization. It's humiliating to act like an animal (especially making animal sounds around a bit) when you're really a human. Dressed to look like an animal (at least to a rough approximation), being treated like an animal, then being forced to behave like an animal is incredibly humiliating (and incredibly hot).

The combination of these elements is overwhelming (in a good way). Being all tacked up and led around by a woman in english show attire (who is also wielding a crop to make me whinny) seems to push just about every button I have.

Being treated like an animal and being forced to act like an animal - the power of speech taken away by my bit; the ability to run away robbed from me by my hooves; the ability to resist lost in my bondage; the will to resist removed by the crop (and the shock collar ;)) - has an irresistible appeal. And not just any animal, but a horse. Cared for, but used (for a purpose), almost utilitarian.

Of course, these are just some of the reasons pony play appeals to me. Ponyplay is a fetish for me, but I know that not everyone views it that way, which is perfectly fine: there is no right way to play. The best thing about ponyplay is its versatility: a lot of what we do as ponies is similar regardless of how we found ponyplay.