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| SirIan |
on Wed 3 Jun 09, 3:54 PM to SirIan's blog.
Pony Clothing
There are no hard and fast rules as to what a female pony should wear. It is a matter to be decided and agreed between pony and Trainer. The pony crowd are a very friendly bunch and whatever you decide to wear you will be welcomed. Unfortunately we all have to live in the real world so comfort, warmth and practicality are things to be considered that don't occur in fiction. In my experience if a pony feels comfortable and happy with her appearance she will perform and undergo training much better than if she is wondering 'do I look fat in this'!! I always suggest starting simply, without pushing her too hard to do something she is uncomfortable with. You can always remove clothing as confidence grows. If you choose to remain fully clothed then no-one will think the worse of you, everyone is an individual.
The essentials Every pony will have a bridle and bit and some form of waist harness to support the cart. Some American sites show ponies pulling carts just by holding the shafts in their hands like a wheelbarrow. This means the entire weight of the cart is on the arms and a pony will tire quickly so a waist harness is advised. The exception to this is if she only wants to be a show pony and do dressage without actually pulling a cart. There are many different designs of bridles from the very simple to very complicated. Each trainer will have their own preference. Ideally your ponies bridle will be made to measure to ensure a good, comfortable fit. Off the shelf, 'one size fits all' ones are fine but they can mean straps are too long. At most pony events you will be able to compare designs and there will be someone there who can make them bespoke for you. Bridles may be customised with a clip on pony mane or ostrich plumes on the front for added effect. There are many sorts of bit, from homemade to actual real pony bits in steel, rubber and silicon. Steel bits despite sounding fierce and hard on teeth are quite comfortable and offer little risk. A 4.5” or 5” pony bit is right for most people. Each pony should have their own for obvious hygiene reasons. Most bridles should allow interchangeable bits.
Above The Waist If there is any consensus for pony wear then I guess it is that the lady is topless and that hands and arms should be fastened behind her back. If the pony has larger breasts then some form of support may be used mostly to ensure she is displayed to her best advantage and to aid comfort. This may take the form of a bra, preferably half cup or similar so part of the breasts are displayed, a corset, under or over bust, (under bust if nipple reins are to be used) or a leather harness which encompasses the breasts. Many ponies like to wear a corset, basque or similar as they find it more comfortable when wearing the leather harness belt, although it is not essential. Others like to wear a corset as they feel it hides any 'lumpy bits' on their tummy!! and emphasises their waist nicely. If a corset is worn it should not be too tight as they have to exercise and breathe in it. If a pony feels comfortable and happy with her appearance then she will perform much better as all her concentration is directed towards the trainer. Below the waist Very much up to the individual. The wearing of a tail really does add to the overall look, especially if matched to the pony's own hair colour. A purest might say that a plug in tail is the ultimate but a clip on one is fine for those starting out or have inhibitions about the former. If the pony is to wear a plug in tail or a tail simply attached to the harness then she will have straps going between her legs to buckle onto the harness belt front & rear. The wearing of panties is optional, many ponies are shown naked. If panties are to be worn then a thong is best as it will not restrict the wearing of a tail or cover the buttocks from the whip. If no panties are worn then the pony looks far better fully shaven. It also permits a ring or tag to be seen if worn and a bell to be fitted if required. Legs Stockings, hold-ups or with suspenders are great especially if shoes are worn. If long, knee length boots are worn then bare legs are OK.
Feet Many ponies and Trainers feel that wearing proper pony boots with real horseshoes and no heels are the ultimate. They certainly look fantastic and make a pony's stance and steps more pronounced and elegant. However they take some getting used to, learning to balance on them, especially with hands tied. They also have their limitations on uneven ground, woodland circuits etc. although I have seen them used by experienced ponies to great effect. To begin with I would suggest starting with something much simpler and comfortable, with a low heel and ankle support, either boots or shoes. As confidence grows then heel height can be increased if required. If attending an event take a spare pair, high heels with stiletto heels are not much use if the ground is a bit soft!
