The billboards all said. ‘Your country needs ponygirls. Could you become one?’ So I applied. Mom was furious, said I’d thrown away everything they’d worked for and they’d never see me again. But I had to do something since dad lost his job. The money will see mom and dad all right and give my brother a chance. The pony dealer seemed glad to have me, I signed the form to say I accept that I am just an animal from now on and then he made me put these boots on, shaved me ‘down there’ and pushed this tail into me.

That branding iron is beginning to glow. He’ll be back in a minute. I volunteered to become a ponygirl so I can’t complain but I am nervous. I hope I don’t disgrace myself when he does it. On my right buttock he said, and my national ponygirl serial number just above my sex. Then about two weeks for the brands to heal before the auction.