It’s not every day you meet someone who spends thousands of dollars to live as a horse. But for Nicole, a 31-year-old from San Diego, California, this isn’t just a quirky hobby—it’s her way of life.
Nicole, a star of TLC’s My Strange Addiction, has opened up about her unusual passion for “pony play.” For the uninitiated, pony play is a type of roleplay where participants transform themselves into horses, complete with costumes and behaviors.
“You become an animal mentally and act accordingly,” Nicole explained. And for her, it’s not just a pastime—it’s her greatest source of happiness. “Being a pony is amazing. It’s probably the biggest source of joy in my life.”
Nicole has been immersing herself in pony play for the past five years, and it’s not a cheap lifestyle. She’s spent thousands of dollars on elaborate costumes to help her fully embody her horse persona, which she calls Drafter.
“What other people think doesn’t bother me,” Nicole shared. “This is who I am. Accept me or don’t, but I’m not changing for anyone.”
On the show, Nicole revealed her dedication to the role. Dressed in a sleek black one-piece, with her face painted in black and white, and wearing horse ears, she fully commits to becoming Drafter. From getting down on all fours to munching on veggies without using her hands, Nicole takes her horse transformation seriously.
“Drafter is a hardworking horse and loves praise and treats,” she said with a smile.
To perfect her role, Nicole undergoes “training” sessions with a trainer, learning to pull a cart and perform various exercises. Grooming, she confessed, is one of her favorite parts of pony play.
But while Nicole is thrilled with her horse lifestyle, her family isn’t quite on board.
“It’s definitely odd to see my daughter dressed up as a horse,” her mom admitted. “If a person wants to dress up like an animal, that’s weird.”
Nicole’s aunt shared a similar sentiment, calling her niece’s pony play “ridiculous.” She recalled her initial reaction: “Holy cow… or holy horse! It was such a mind bend.”
Despite their skepticism, her aunt couldn’t help but admire Nicole’s determination to stay true to herself. “I know you beat to your own drum,” she said. “So do what you do.”
And that’s exactly what Nicole plans to do. “I couldn’t imagine my life without pony play,” she said proudly. “It lets me reconnect with the pretend play we all loved as kids. For me, it’s not just a hobby—it’s who I am.”
What do you think? Is Nicole’s passion inspiring or just plain odd? Share your thoughts in the comments and tag a friend who might have something to say about this!
