Featured Image Credit: TLC
Topics: Life, TV And Film
Jess Hardiman
The mum of a woman who pretends to be a horse admits she finds the pastime ‘odd’, even though her daughter says it’s the ‘biggest source of happiness’ in her life.
Nicole is ‘addicted to pony play’, which is a type of role play that involves a human pretending to be a pony.
Just like real ponies, she enjoys being groomed and trained, and while pulling a cart is a ‘labour of love’, it’s actually her favourite activity.
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In an episode of TLC’s Strange Addiction, Nicole - who is from San Diego, California - explained: “Pony play is a form of costumed role play. You become an animal mentally, and act accordingly.
“Drafter is my pony play character. Drafter is a very hard working horse and really enjoys praise and treats.
“Being a pony is amazing. For me, this is probably the biggest source of happiness in my life.”
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Nicole has been addicted to pony play for more than five years, having spent thousands of dollars on her costumes to achieve the authentic look.
“What other people think, that doesn’t bother me. You know, this is who I am. Accept me or don’t, but I’m not changing for anyone.
“I could not imagine my life without pony play in it. I love my addiction to pony play more than flies love crap!
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“Pony play allows me to indulge in the pretend play that all of us came to know and love as a child.”
Nicole’s mum Vicky, however, isn’t quite so open to the idea.
“It is definitely odd to see my daughter dressed up as a horse,” she said.
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“If a person wants to dress up like an animal, that’s weird.”
And Nicole’s Aunt Val also seems to be equally stumped by the unusual hobby.
“Holy cow... Holy horse! I thought it looked pretty ridiculous,” Val recalled of the moment she first saw Nicole in her pony play getup, saying it felt like a total ‘mind bend’.
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After Nicole shows her the different tricks she can do, her aunt asks her if she worries what people think.
But her niece is more than happy with her lifestyle, saying she’s ‘not a drone that came out of a cookie cutter’.
“I know you beat to your own drum, you know?” Val told her. “So do what you do.”