I would seldom describe myself as naif. Nevertheless, when I first read about Pony Girls, I was a tad surprised. I had a sheltered upbringing but I’ve always found those who view life most conservatively have potential for the greatest perversity. I mean once you’ve been taught that sex is for procreating not recreating, then any other reason is treason leading to no holds barred sinning.

I mean parts of it made immediate sense. Fetish wear is sexy without a doubt. Leading someone around like an animal, enjoying domination or submission is natural enough. Headpieces resembling long manes or tails attached to belts, I could understand. I mean grooming as a form of affection dates all the way back to our primate ancestors. However, wearing footwear that resembles hooves was a tad odd at first for me.

Maybe I needed to see it in a more mainstream, albeit hardly mundane presentation. I should have known I could rely on Madonna to bring such fetishism to the forefront. For me, that diva of popular culture that loves to exploit controversy, knows how to show her kinky side in an easily palatable way. I know some folks don’t take her seriously, either as a performer or even as the shit disturber she sometimes tries to be.

After all, her latest transformation is so annoying to some. That pseudo British accent and her sudden obsession with horseback riding, is as if she’s to the manor born. How dare she put on airs, some say. She’s hardly known for diplomacy or manners, so how can she act as if she’s the latest heir to the British aristocracy.

Meanwhile, the last time I checked the upper class ilk of Brits are hardly icons of propriety. I mean Prince Charles once told Camilla, he wanted to be her tampon. Even if she’s leaking blue blood that’s a nasty way to say, I love you over the phone. Anyway, I recently saw a tape of Madonna’s latest live show recorded in London and I see how the horses have influenced her in a kinky way.

The performance opened with dancers prancing around in harnesses wearing manes and tails. There was a male trainer and female one too whipping the ponies into line. Madonna mounted a saddle on one muscular pony boy riding on his back while pulling hard on the reins as he chomped at the bit. She wore fetish-inspired riding attire with high boots, stirrup pants, top hat and crop. It was sexy and powerful.

Sure, maybe it wasn’t true pony play, but leading that horse to a watered down version did make me think less like a virgin touched by such a fetish for the very first time.