Animal roleplay

A pony-boy pulling his mistress seated on asulky,at USA'sFolsom Street Fair,the world's largestleatherandkinkfestival.

Animal roleplayis a form ofroleplaywhere at least one participant plays the part of a non-humananimal.As with most forms of roleplay, its uses includeplayandpsychodrama.

Animal roleplay may also be found inBDSMcontexts, where an individual may take part in a dominant/submissive relationship by being treated as an animal. The activity is often referred to aspetplay.However, not all types of animal roleplay within BDSM are petplay and not all petplay in BDSM involves roleplaying as an animal; some can be referred to as primal play.

Overview

A man crawling like a pet animal atFolsom Street Fair.He is held using a dogleash.

The origins of animalroleplayand petplay are probably various and diverse, again depending upon the participants involved. However, its origins are certainly influenced bycostuming,fiction,mythandlegend,roleplay andpsychodramain their various aspects. Some of the earliest published images of animal play (especially pony play) are to be found in the work ofJohn Willie,primarily inBizarremagazine published from 1946 to 1959.

Some of the equipment that can be used in animal roleplay includeleash,chain,bit gag,neck collar,bondage harness,catsuit,bodystocking,butt plug,muzzle,ballet boots,etc.

Cultural and ritual use

See also:Shapeshifting

Non-sexual animal roleplay was a common and integral part ofritualin many tribal cultures both in recent and likely prehistoric times, where a member (or members) of the tribe would take the role physically and often spiritually of an animal that was either revered or hunted. Examples of the former include many of theAmerican Indian tribesandArctic native peoples.Examples of the latter are evidenced bycave paintings.In 1911, Julia Tuell photographed the last Animal Dance ( "Massaum" ) performed by the NorthernCheyenneofMontana.

It is also sometimes used ineducation,especiallyphysical education,as a way to encourage people toexercisethe body in unusual ways, bymimickingvarious animals.

Other forms

See also:Play (activity)

Somesuperheroes,heroines,andvillainsalso feature elements related to pet play; such asDC Comics'sWildcat,Batman,Catwoman,the PenguinandVixen,Marvel'sTigra,Man-WolfandBlack Cat,or evenNastassja Kinski's Irena Gallier in the 1982 filmCat People(a remake of the1942 Simone Simon film), and Miss Kitty from theBrendan FrasermovieMonkeybone.All involve animal qualities taken on by a human. Some would even count the enactment or spiritual belief in therianthropy (werewolves,werecats,etc.) as falling under human animal roleplay or transformation play as well.

Peter Shaffer's 1973 playEquustells the story of a young man who has a pathological religious fascination with horses, but this appears closer tozoophiliathan pet play.Andrew Lloyd Webber's 1981 musicalCatstraces a tribe of urban cats, and in 2007War Horseused full size puppets to play horses on stage.

Erotic scenarios

A man dressed as a dog atPride Parade, London, 2011

A woman does pony-play atCologne Pride,2014

Like much of erotic play and roleplay, animal roleplay in an erotic or relational context is entirely defined by the people involved and by their mood and interests at the time of play. It ranges from the simple imitation of a vocal "whinnying" of a horse to the barking, panting or playful nudging of a puppy, or playful behaviour of a kitten, to crawling around on all fours and being fed, or petted, by hand. To the greater extremes of dressing up as a pony in modified horse tack, masks,prostheticsand temporary bondage based body modification (such as binding the forearms to the upperarms and/or the calves to the thighs).

Public participation in human animal roleplay is varied. A couple could inconspicuously role-play a pet play scene in public, which would look to the casual observer like one partner is merely stroking the other's neck. In the case of some BDSMfetishists,one partner may wear adog collarwith aleashattached.

The reasons for playing such a character or animal can vary as much as the physical manifestations and intensity of the play. Some people enjoy being able to "cut loose" into a different, or more dynamic personality (seeother variations). In some cases, pet play is seen as a loving, quiet cuddling time where there is no need for verbalizations and the simple act of stroking, rubbing and holding the other partner is satisfying or reassuring in and of itself for those involved. For others, there may be aspiritualside to it. Some feel closer to their animaltotem,while others may identify with something akin to a deeper side or part of their own psyche (known astherianthropy). For still others, there is the experience ofpower exchangesetup in a context or structure which they can accept.

Some cases could be considered a type of animal transformation fantasy. They can have strong elements ofexhibitionism,be totally enjoyed in the privacy of the home, or lie somewhere between either boundary. While not widespread, erotic human-animal roleplay is still enjoyed by a sizable number of people. However, it is still primarily identified withBDSMpractice. Though commonly misinterpreted as being associated withfurryor otheralternative lifestyleactivities, that is generally not the case though some instances may exist.

For most participants, it has no connection whatsoever withbestiality,which is controversial and would usually be considerededgeplayin BDSM circles.

Other considerations

"PONYPLAY" exhibition in Sevastopol, Crimea

Each type of play can focus on a certain "strength" of an animal character. Pony play often involves the practice and training that ahorseowner ortrainerwould put their horse through to learn how to walk,canter,etc., as modified for human limbs. Puppy and kitten play often can involve BDSM related discipline. Cow Play often involves fantasies oflactationandimpregnation.The usual limits ofsafe, sane and consensualapply to roleplay as much as any other activity between humans who accept and respect their partner's interests and limits. For most, this does not include bestiality.

Just because one partner is playing the "pet" does not necessarily make them the passive or submissive play partner in thescene.

BDSM scenarios

Some people believe that they have certain animal 'instincts' and that they can let them out through animal roleplay. This is especially true in the BDSM communities, where some people 'live' as their chosen animal 24/7.This type of mentality goes beyond roleplay and becomes a full lifestyle for the parties involved. There are also 'hybrids'. These are humans who live part-time as one type of animal, and part-time as another. This is usually determined by the situation.

In the BDSM scene, people engage in animal roleplay to build stronger emotional connections. People develop deep emotional connections with their pets. Petplay, especially pup and kitten play seeks to create the same deep emotional connection between the owner/master and submissive/pet. The dom may demand unconditional love and obedience, but they may also train their pet to be more emotionally perceptive and empathic. This helps the sub feel safe and secure in the relationship.

Types of animal roleplay

The following section lists specific animal roleplay communities centered around a single type of animal.

Pony play

Pony play atFolsom Street Fair

Pony play is where at least one of the participants dresses to resemble and assumes the mannerisms and character of anequineanimal. A documentary filmPony Passionwas produced by British pony play club De Ferre in 2003 showing their club's activities and the 2005documentary film,Born in a Barn,depicted the lives of several pony-play enthusiasts.

Pony play is sometimes referred to as "The Aristotelian Perversion" or "Aristotle’s Perversion", in reference toPhyllis and Aristotle,an apocryphal story where the philosopherAristotlewas persuaded to let a woman named Phyllis ride him like a horse, in promised exchange for sexual favors: an episode depicted in various woodcuts and other works of art.

Kitten play

A woman in kitten outfit

In kitten play, a person dresses to resemble and assumes the mannerisms and character of a kitten or cat, a characteristic of which is that it keeps some independence and, as part of the fantasy, might retaliate against the partner trying to tame/train them. Some might be trained to do tricks such as bring toys back, to beg, or go on walks. A "kitten" or "cat" that is unowned oruncollaredmay be called a "stray".

Pup play

Main article:Pup play

Pup play is a form of animal roleplay focused on dressing up as a dog, especially popular in thegay community.

HuCow

Main article:HuCow

Human cow or HuCow is a fetishsubculturethat is focused around roleplaying as a cow andbreast lactation.

See also

• Animal transformation fantasy (disambiguation)
• Cat Girl Manor
• Consent (BDSM)
• Erotic humiliation
• Fur fetishism
• Human furniture
• Master slave relationship
• Animal roleplay in ancient Rome
• Sexual roleplay
• Zoophilia

External links

• Dog play entry in the BDSM Dictionary
• An Introduction to Pet Play