Adam laughed.“I just mean that while you’re taking your photos you’ll need to buy in to the fact that these men want to be seen as ponies when they are in harness.Whether they’re posing for you or they’re in the grooming barn getting bathed and polished, try not to invade that headspace with real-world matters.”
Ah.
“I think I can do that.Do they have pony names, or do I call them by their actual names?”
“They do have pony names, but those are only used in the show ring.The trainers use their real first names, and you can as well.It makes things easier for everyone, and then it’s a kick to use their pony names in the shows.”
“Sure.”
I was beginning to realize the Braided Crop Ranch was a complex and intricate haven for dedicated fetish enthusiasts, designed and run for their benefit so they could fulfill their fantasies in a safe space.
Adam stood.“Let’s go.I’m sure Liv has work to do, and I need to introduce you to some trainers.”
“Sure.”
“Bye, Oliver,” Liv said.“Have fun!I wish I could be introduced to this place all over again.It’s a trip!”
On the short walk to the next, larger outbuilding, I asked Adam about having a female stable hand.
He glanced at me.“You may be surprised to learn we have a female trainer working here.”
“Really?”Connor had mentioned someone named Lorraine, and I was definitely curious.
“Yes.Because what the ponyboys do here isn’t entirely sexual.It’s more about being handled and used and asked to perform difficult tasks for the reward of serving their master.Yes, there are some basic sexual rewards and sometimes punishments, but most of this is about dominance, submission, and service.”
By this time, we’d reached the door to the arena, and Adam grabbed the handle.“You ready, Oliver?”
“Fuck, Adam.Yes, I’m ready.”
He was killing me.
He smiled and pulled open the door.
“Hold your head up!”echoed across the polished wood floors as we stepped inside and Adam closed the door.
My eyes adjusted slowly to the fractured light as the sounds of boots pounding in a steady rhythm filled the space.
“Good afternoon, Hiro.”Adam addressed a thick-set man in jodhpurs, tall brown boots, and a white button-down, with thick black hair and the sliver of a mustache.“How is Andrew doing today?”
As we approached Hiro, his eyes scanned me with curiosity before he smiled at Adam.“Very well for a new recruit.He has a fine form for only his third shift.And I can tell he’s trying.”
While they spoke, I examined the large, indoor area.Natural light from a border of windows directly beneath the ceiling all the way around helped illuminate the space, but there was tinting to keep out any direct beams, which would make it ideal for creating optimal images.
“Hiro, this is Oliver, our resident photographer,” Adam said, while my gaze was drawn to the figure moving nearby.“Oliver, I’ve let all the trainers know you’ll be on site and taking photographs for the next six weeks.”
A slim but muscular young man with shoulder-length red hair and an abundance of freckles covering his pale skin, jogged near the outer wall.He wore the body harness and collar I’d seen in the images on the website, as well as the leather forearm cuffs that kept his arms pinioned at his back.His feet, in black Doc Martin boots, struck the floor in measured beats as he tried to keep his head up, maintain his momentum, and avoid falling.
“Welcome to the ranch, Oliver,” Hiro said.
I tore my eyes away from the ponyboy and smiled at the man who stood a little shorter than both Adam and I.
“Thanks.I’m pleased to meet you, Hiro.”I shook his offered hand.Then my gaze flew back to Andrew.
“This is the first time he’s seen a ponyboy in actuality,” Adam said.
“Oh?Well, then, let’s give you a closer look.”He clapped his hands.“Andrew!Come here and stand for our visitors, please.”
My mouth went dry as the ponyboy jogged over and came to a stop before his trainer.
