Earth Ponies -- ponies who have neither wings (Pegasus) nor a horn (Unicorn) -- were the most common type of pony in every year, and in every country. An average six-pony set generally consisted of four earth ponies, a unicorn, and a pegasus, and many groups featured only Earth Ponies. There were fourteen Earth Pony poses (not including Baby Earth Ponies, Big Brothers, Sweetheart Sisters, and Secret Surprise Ponies): the first was introduced in Year 1 in the US; the last in Year 9.
Flatfoot/Collector Pose
*Photo by Ponyland Press*
The first pose introduced was the "Flatfoot Pose," named for being the only pose printed with the bottoms of the hooves flat rather than concave. The pose stands with all four feet flat on the ground, and with the head straight forward and bent down. All of the Year 1 ponies were printed in this pose, but it was never used again in its original form.
The pose was re-carved the following year with concave hooves, longer front legs, and the head held higher (as shown at left). The re-carved version of this pose (the "Collector Pose" version) was only available in playsets and through special offers after Year 2 in the US, and was available in various years in other countries.
The pose was re-carved again in Year 6 for use in the Sundae Best set. The Sundae Best version of the pose holds her head higher and has a thinner body, and longer legs. It was used only once, for the pony Swirly Whirly.
The "Bow-Tie Pose" was introduced in Year 2. This pose stands with all four feet flat, the front hooves slightly spread, and the head turned right and bent down.
The Bow-Tie Pose was used in Years 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7 in the US, and in various years in other countries and through special offers. It was re-carved in Year 6 for the Princess Ponies and the Sundae Best Ponies sets. The Princess/Sundae Best version of the pose is thinner and has a larger, more sharply angled head with smaller nostrils and ears. It was used for two ponies, Princess Taffeta and Banana Surprise.
The "Bubbles Pose" was introduced in Year 2, and was never used again in the US. It is the only pose ever printed which was made so that the pony is sitting down. In this pose, the hind legs are molded to the body and the head is turned very slightly to the left. Only two US ponies (Bubbles and Seashell) were available in this pose, and it was marked on their packaging that they could not wear My Little Pony shoes.
The "Tootsie Pose" pose was introduced in Year 3. This pose stands with three feet flat, the left front leg bent, and the head turned a little to the right. It has a narrower body and longer head than poses from previous years, but has slightly thicker legs.
The Tootsie pose was used in Years 2, 6, 7, and 8 in the US, and in various years in other countries and through special offers. It was re-carved twice, once in Year 6 for the Sundae Best set and the Princess Ponies set, and once in Year 7 for the Merry-Go-Round set.
The Sundae Best/Princess version of the pose has longer legs, the head turned slightly less to the right, the legs leaned further forward, and smaller features. It was used for the ponies Crunchberry and Princess Sunbeam. The Merry-Go-Round version of the pose is markedly taller with the legs leaned further forward, and has a narrower waist, longer legs, a shorter, narrower head, smaller eyes and nostrils, and a raised saddle carved on its back. It was used for Brilliant Blossoms and Tassels.
Special Offer Ponies printed in this pose: Sunspot
Posey Pose
*Photo by Ponyland Press*
The "Posey Pose" was introduced in Year 3. This pose is in a striding position with the head straight forward, the right front leg bent forward, the left front leg curved back with the hoof flat, the right rear leg extended forward with the hoof flat, and the left rear leg extended back. It has a narrower body and longer, thinner legs than the poses from previous years.
The Posey Pose was used in Year 3 and in Years 6 through 10 in the US, and in various years in other countries and through special offers. It was re-carved three times, once in Year 6 for the Sundae Best set and the Princess Ponies set, once in Year 7 for the Merry-Go-Round set, and once in 1993 in the UK for the Rollerskates set.
The Sundae Best/Princess version of the pose has a narrower head and smaller eyes and nostrils, and the right front leg is not extended as far. It was used for the ponies Sherbet and Princess Moondust. The Merry-Go-Round version of the pose stands with the front right leg bent but not extended, and has a raised saddle carved on its back, smaller nostrils, and a longer right hind leg. It was used for the ponies Sunnybunch and Flower Bouquet. The Rollerskates version of the pose is thinner with a slightly longer head, a shorter left front leg and right rear leg, and rollerskates carved onto her feet. It was used for all three Rollerskate Ponies: Melody, Jazzie, and Hip-Hop.
The "Truly Pose" was introduced in Year 4 for the first set of So Soft Ponies. It was used for three ponies in this set, and was never available again in the US. This pose stands on its hind legs with the right front leg bent and the left front leg bent slightly and extended. The head is tilted very slightly to the left.
Because this pose stood on two legs, it didn't balance well on its own, and so it came with a clear plastic stand with pegs that fit into holes in the rear hooves.
The the "Gingerbread pose" was introduced in Year 4. This pose stands with three feet flat, the right front leg bent, and the head facing straight forward. It has broader shoulders and a wider head than previous poses.
This pose was used in Years 4, 6, 7, 9, and 10 in the US, and in various years in other countries and through special offers. In the UK, it was used three times as a boy pony pose for the Family Friends set.
The pose was re-carved for the Princess Ponies set in Year 6. The Princess version of the pose has a rounder head with smaller eyes, and the right front leg is bent further inward. It was used for Princess Dawn.
Special Offer Ponies printed in this pose: Sky Rocket
Sugarberry Pose
*Photo by Ponyland Press*
The "Sugarberry Pose" was introduced in Year 5. This pose stands with three feet flat and the right front leg very slightly bent and lifted off the ground; the shoulders and head are turned slightly to the right.
This pose was used in Years 5, 7, 8, and 10 in the US, and in various years in other countries and through special offers.
Special Offer Ponies printed in this pose: Star Dancer
Quackers Pose
*Photo by Ponyland Press*
The "Quackers Pose" was introduced in Year 5. This pose stands with the left front leg slightly bent with the hoof flat, the left rear leg extended forward and out with the hoof flat, and the two right legs bent and extended back. The head is turned to the right.
This pose was used in Years 5, 6, and 9 in the US, and in various years in other countries and through special offers. It was re-carved for the Merry-Go-Round set in Year 6. The Merry-Go-Round version of the pose has a larger, more sharply angled head and a raised saddle carved on its back, and the left front leg is shorter and pulled closer to the body. It was used for two ponies: Diamond Dreams and Sparkler.
Special Offer Ponies printed in this pose: Rapunzel
Crumpet Pose
*Photo by Ponyland Press*
The "Crumpet Pose" was introduced in Year 5. This pose stands with all four feet flat and the left front leg slightly extended. The head is turned left and bent slightly down, and the shoulders are turned slightly left.
This pose was used from Year 5 through Year 10 in the US, and in various years in other countries and through special offers.
The "Bride Pose" was introduced in Year 8. This pose stands with the right front hoof flat, the left front hoof flat and turned slightly outward, the right rear hoof flat and slightly extended, and the left rear leg extended back. The head is turned to the right. The body and legs are slimmer than any adult poses apart from the Sweetheart Sister poses, and the legs are long and curved. The head is small and narrow, but the ears are the slightly larger than those of other poses.
This pose was used from Year 8 through Year 10 in the US. The head was re-carved in Year 8 for the Sweetsteps Ballerina set (see the "Bride Head" below).
The "Ballerina Pose" was introduced in Year 8. It was the only posable adult pose ever made, and was used only for the Sweetsteps Ballerina set. It was sold with two different heads (see the Ballerina Head and the Bride Head below).
The Ballerina Pose was carved wearing a leotard and four ballet slippers with bows. It stands with the right front leg slightly bent and the hoof flat, the left front leg bent, the right rear leg very slightly bent, and the left rear hoof flat. The body is thinner and the legs are longer than those of most other poses.
The "Ballerina Head" was used only twice, for the Sweetsteps Ballerina set in Year 8. It is smaller and narrower than most other pony heads and has smaller eyes and nostrils and a thinner neck. It faces straight forward and is tilted up.
The "Bride Head" was used only twice for the Sweetsteps Ballerina set in Year 8. It is a version of the head used for the Bride Pose (see above), and is smaller and narrower than most other pony heads, with smaller eyes and nostrils and a thinner neck. It faces very slightly to the right.
The "Bubblefish Pose" was introduced in Year 9. This pose has very long legs, and larger ears, nose, and head than any pose from previous years. It stands with the right front hoof flat, the left front leg bent, the right rear leg extended back, and the left rear leg flat. The head is raised and turned slightly left.
This pose was used in Years 9 and 10.
The "Bunnyhop Pose" was introduced in Year 9, and was used only twice for the Precious Pocket set. This pose has very long legs, and larger ears, nose, and head than any pose from previous years. It stands with all four legs extended forward and the head turned slightly to the left.
