BDSM Pony Play: Part III, Discipline
The second piece to consider with the BDSM pony is discipline. Training and punishment comprise the primary aspects of discipline within BDSM pony play. Training consists of aspects of guidance, self-control, endurance, and conditioning as well as just about every other method and expression of self-development and personal growth. It creates the pony's expression through physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual development. It enhances the experience through focus, intention, and increase of abilities. Punishment on the other hand takes a different tack. It consists of both constructive and destructive forces. In the hands of a talented trainer the deconstruction possesses the power to recreate from the base elements. In its worst manifestation it debases without a positive reconstruction of self. At its best, punishment decreases an undesirable behavior and increases a desirable behavior.
Herein lies the key difference between the BDSM slave pony and BDSM role play pony. The direction the discipline takes defines the pony play. Is the discipline intended to satisfy a human's desire to debase someone or to be debased or is it a method to control an animal? Of course a biological equine trains like an athlete, and it is the generally accepted view that one of the things differentiating humans from animals is that animals cannot be humiliated. So what does motivate an animal's behavior? When in a vulnerable state an animal may seek protection and humans often project their own incentives onto our animal counterparts. It seems that even if animals possess souls, they do not contain the same human weaknesses. The differences between humans and animals may be pushed within the human animal during humiliation play, depending on the structure of the psyche of that particular human animal. When negotiating a scene, consider the following: Can the pony be humiliated in play or is the event merely an event without judgment? Does the human pony possess a human or animal persona in scene?
It seems prudent to comment upon the aspect of humanity inherent to human animal training. Can the pony experience self growth? What aspect of the organism evolves during training? A pony slave definitely develops a new sense of self which does not manifest in the same way with an equine. In other words, while both an equine develops new skills and abilities, the human also develops a sense of accomplishment which goes beyond the sense of happiness an equine may feel upon being rewarded for succeeding.
How many pony players realize that their primary component weighs upon discipline? Does the activity define them more than the costume? Yes in regards to the definition of the play. The costume communicates a certain verve and personality. Yet that may or may not communicate the activity of interest to the pony, nor does it describe the play. However, the pony may have a sense of purpose that contributes to the definition of the pony's personality. Does the pony feel a need and sense of purpose defined by intrinsic action or does it need to be used in the sense of being utilized as an object? Although as with all things it may be more realistic to point to a polarity between the two for the individual to find the exact definition that best describes them. The definition crass as it may seem points to the difference of value designated upon the pony and the activity the pony embraces. It speaks to the difference between pony slave and role-play pony as do all the answers to the questions posed for reflection.
The following begins the conversation concerning the elements of training and punishment. The development of a being no matter what the final goal requires thoughtful planning and commitment.
Training
The importance of clearing the human for intense physical activity with a human physician cannot be underestimated. The physician must understand the demands required of pony play even if the specific activity remains undescribed. Depending upon the actual type of pony and how that pony chooses to play, demands may include, but not limited to, running, jumping, weight-lifting, carrying weight on the back, balance flexibility, intense anaerobic and/or aerobic activity, decreased oxygen intake and stress on joints. The practice parallels cross training in a variety of sports rather than just one. Although pony play adapts to all physical conditions, the fantasy usually includes intense physical expression of some kind. Assuming that the pony wishes to be an athletic pony such as a riding pony or pulling a cart, once the physical has given release for the type of demands to be made on the human body, the pony needs to plan how to condition his or her body for the demands for the work.
That requires a rigorous program with a purpose particular to the discipline and/or development of skills. A pony may need abilities such as cardiorespiratory endurance, balance, flexibility, strength, stamina, coordination, agility, speed, power, and accuracy. A varied workout helps to acquire the necessary skills. A personal trainer may also need to be called in, at least on consult. Developing proficiency in any area requires determined, consistent effort. It takes "grit." It takes reinforcing existing strengths (horizontal growth) and developing weak areas into strength (vertical growth). It requires setting appropriate goals and allowing focus work on weak areas that builds the mastery of previously weak activities. Particularly demanding types of role-play ponies include dressage, circus, reining, cross-country, and various types of racing. Take dressage, a pony may have a strong skill of precision, but a weak area of flexibility. The pony may need to take time to develop flexibility to enhance the overall presentation of the movement. All of these types of pony play require cardiorespiratory endurance and general stamina training.
Another aspect for the pony and/or trainer to consider involves the emotional, mental and spiritual demands necessary to be the type of pony he or she is interested in being. It might take some exploring to piece together the skill necessary for any particular type of pony or role-play. It requires a plan. Any kind of training requires a vision and a training program. To know if you have reached your goal or not, there needs to be a measurement, even if that is only a conscious awareness of where one began and observing the changes. Perhaps some kind of diary or record keeping may help chronicle progress.
As the pony progresses through the training program the room for growth always evolves. The program advances as the pony advances. Specifics may include an increase in strenuousness and detail. All this play requires discipline. subMissAnn as Beauty exemplifies discipline both as pony and trainer. She trains intensely practicing each detail again and again seeking the ideal. The drive to achieve classical perfection parallels the same level of dedication as a ballet dancer or orchestra musician. She transfer this same energy into training other ponies. She becomes the drill sergeant as she pours out her passion for pony play to other ponies. Beauty's sense of discipline rivals army boot camp, in the best of ways.
Punishment
The traditional idea of punishment within BDSM involves impact, force play such as dildodes, gags and restrictive bondage. Although a BDSM role-play pony can certainly be punished for being disobedient or naughty, the purpose of breaking, or general negative reinforcement; the administrative and motivation of the training punishment also demonstrates the type of pony play currently in mode. Is the punishment delivered to train an animal in the manner consistent with biological equine training techniques, however dreadful that may be, or to change a behavior and/or actions of a human being conditioned to the expectations directed by another person's sexual desires? Again, this poses a polarity of definitions. Using a whip may be a training aid, or tool, to assist in adapting a role-play pony's stride or keep her out on the lunging circle or even to force the pony to run harder, faster,..longer. The whip used within the BDSM slave pony's world may mean a conditioning to physical demands or for the pleasure of the owner watching. It might even be a reward for the masochist slave pony covertly hidden by pretext. For more details regarding the application of punishment within the D/s relationship, read Jack Rinella's "Spare the Rod, Spoil the Slave." (http://www.leathernroses.com/generalbdsm/rinellasparerod.htm)
Perhaps the day to day play exists beyond the need for such definition. Yet, the need to look deeper remains for some. The play takes a tack that drifts within the spirit of the the creator's vision. Punishment and discipline guide the play to reach the particular goal within the context of the individual player(s). This deeper look into the application of fantasy creates a new level of play dependent upon the context and purpose of punishment.
The application of punishment within the pornography and erotica of pony play displays itself readily. Punishment within the context of the role-play pony presents less frequently. One role-play example may be a human pony embodying a wild mustang who refuses to be tamed within the pre-negotiated agreement with the "bronc buster." This role-play offers a huge range of punishment play within the role-play context of harsh treatment. Examples are hard to find these days as the current and desirable way to train horses has become much more humane, building within myth and fantasy calls upon a greater sense of creativity and resourcefulness. A variety of forms of containment, restriction, bondage, physical control and impact play applications may be redefined and put into use.
Discipline deserves a good analysis, particularly since it rarely receives the attention and respect it deserves. What does it mean to you? How is it applied to your frame of reference, goals, and relationship(s). The next consideration for the BDSM Pony involves D/s, the erotic power exchange between Dominant and submissive. The D/s relationship is not always so easily defined, especially as practiced in pony play.
