My Little Pony Toys – The History So Far

In 2008 My Little Pony toys celebrated 25 years of magical playfulness and iconic status. Created by Hasbro, My Little Pony toys have brought magic and fun to little girls worldwide for many years, and they are still popular today, providing enjoyment for both children and adults.

These pastel coloured ponies have a long and varied history but their fundamental characters remain in tact, whimsical and playful, just as Hasbro intended and promoted through their marketing.

Most little girls everywhere dream of having their own pony and My Little Pony toys help their dreams come true with a little imagination and play. Especially for little girls born in the 1970’s, growing up in the 80’s, as My Little Pony toys inspired pretty much a whole generation. Those same little girls around the time of the first ponies are now adults who still love their Little Pony toys, which have become very collectable.

Of course My Little Pony toys continued to be hugely popular after this first generation of children grew up but their shapes and designs changed, and copycat products came onto the market to compete with them. When they were first launched in 1983, before any competition hit the market, My Little Pony toys did so well that they even outsold Barbie at one point.

The inception of My Little Pony toys followed the closely related My Pretty Pony toys, their American predecessor, that had been introduced to the marketplace in 1981. My Pretty Pony was made by Romper Room, a division of Hasbro at the time. My Pretty Pony was larger in size than the My Little Pony that followed, and her colouring was more earthy in tone than the pastel, unrealistic colours of My Little Pony.

The first generation of My Little Pony toys ran from 1983 to 1995 (1992 in the US) and there were initially only six little ponies. The original ponies were all Earth ponies, they had no wings or horns like later Unicorn or Pegasus ponies. Each pony had a soft, silky mane and tail, and its own individual symbol markings on its behind. Every little pony was sold with a ribbon and a comb for grooming it.

One of the first My Little Ponies was released with the Grooming Parlour (Pretty Parlour in the US) in 1983. The Grooming Parlour was a blue rectangular case that opened out into a parlour, where you could groom a little pony. It came with ribbons, a comb, hats, a saddle and a bridle, as well as nametags to show a pony’s name on the stage in the centre. It also came with a tabby cat and a pink basket that could be strapped to the pony’s back.

My Little Pony toys changed thier appearance slightly over time but they retained their pastel colours and individual symbols on their sides. Following the original Earth ponies came Unicorns and Pegasus ponies, and baby ponies became available in all three models – Earth, Unicorn and Pegasus forms. The earliest baby ponies were like their mothers in looks but smaller and in lighter, softer colours. Later on baby ponies were attributed more distinctive identities of their own.

In 1997 (1999 in the US) the My Little Pony brand was re-launched and it enjoyed a massive revival, although for many people it had never really gone away and always remained popular. The second generation of ponies were made in totally different poses. They were a different shape to the original first generation ponies, slimmer and smaller in height, with longer legs and turning heads. Most of them were Earth ponies but there were a few unicorns, although no Pegasus ponies and only two baby ponies.

All the Generation 2 My Little Pony toys were discontinued in 2003 when the next, and current, generation of little ponies was introduced. The third generation of ponies includes the re-release of some of the original generation ponies, but standing in different poses and with shiny bodies instead of matte, and matte symbols on their flanks.

From 2003 to 2005 only Earth ponies were released, then in 2005 Pegasus ponies were released and in 2006 Unicorn ponies. In 2008 My Little Pony toys were narrowed to seven ponies by Hasbro, who will now only re-release some older models but no new models.

Whatever happens in the future of My Little Pony toys, they will always retain their charm and appeal to millions of little girls and adults worldwide and they are sure to have a long, magical life ahead. Their playfulness and whimsical nature will remain for generations of little girls to enjoy, and their iconic status will hopefully stand the test of time.