Ribbon Shiny

My Little Pony Toys – The History of the Hasbro Ponies

In 2008 My Little Pony toys celebrated 25 years of wonderful whimsicality, playfulness and near celebrity status. Invented and manufactured by Hasbro My Little Pony toys have brought fun and friendship to millions of little girls all over the world for years, and they continue to bring enjoyment today to adults as well as children.

These rainbow coloured little ponies have a long and interesting story to tell but their indelable characterisitics remain, they are as wonderful and whimsical as Hasbro intended when they were created.

Most little girls dream of owning a pony and My Little Pony toys go some way to making that dream come true. Especially for the generation of little girls born in the 1970′s, who then grew up in the 1980′s, as My Little Pony toys were part of their dreams and aspirations. Those little girls who played with the first ponies are now adults who still adore My Little Pony toys and these have become very collectable.

Of course My Little Pony toys remained hugely popular after the first little girls to play with them grew up but their designs, shapes and colours changed and other toy manufacturers made similar products to compete with them. When they were introduced in 1983, without any such competition, My Little Pony toys were so popular that they outsold Barbie at one point in time.

The creation of My Little Pony toys closely followed My Pretty Pony toys, their American relation that had been released to the market in 1981. My Pretty Pony was made by Romper Room under the licence of Hasbro, although the patent was later obtained by Hasbro. My Pretty Pony was much bigger than the My Little Ponies that we know, and her colouring was much more earthy than the pretty, pastel colours of My Little Pony, with primary coloured accessories.

The first generation of ponies ran from 1983 to 1995 (1992 in the US) and there were originally just six ponies. These original six ponies were all Earth ponies, that is they had no wings or horns, unlike later little ponies. Each pony had a soft, silky mane and tail, and its own individual symbol markings on its behind. Each pony came with a comb for grooming and a ribbon for decoration.

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 plastic rectangular case, which opened into a parlour where you could groom your little pony. It came with a comb, ribbons, hats, a bridle, a saddle and nametags to display under a pony placed on the centre stage. It also came with a tabby cat and a pink basket that could be strapped to the pony’s back.

My Little Pony toys then changed in appearance over time, although they retained their pastel coloured bodies with a different colour mane and tail, and individual symbols on their flanks. After the original ponies in Earth form, Unicorns and Pegasus ponies followed, and baby ponies became available in all three forms. The early babies were similar to their “mothers” but smaller and in slightly softened colours. Later baby ponies were created with more individual identities, different to their parents.

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 different to the original first generation ponies, smaller and slimmer with long legs, turning heads and jeweled eyes. They were mostly Earth ponies, but some unicorns, and 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. Generation 3 includes the re-release of some original ponies but in different poses or outfits and most of them have shiny bodies and matte symbols on their sides.

From 2003 to 2005 only Earth ponies were released, then in 2005 Pegasus ponies were released and in 2006 Unicorn ponies. In 2008 Hasbro narrowed its My Little Pony toys down to seven ponies and no new ponies will be released, although some older models will be re-released.

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 magical, playful nature and iconic status will withstand the test of time and remain for future generations of little girls to enjoy.

Everybody Do the Shiny Ribbon Dance!!