1983:

Earth Ponies

"Earth" Ponies, defined as ponies who did not have a unicorn's horn or a pegasus pony's wings, were basically your average, normal little ponies, kitted out for gallops across the field and not much more. Though all ponies with no horn or wings are generally referred to as "Earth" ponies or "Earthlings", Hasbro never actually gave a set that name. They were simply "My Little Pony".

Yet "Earth" pony was a Hasbro term. These early six little ponies featured some innovative new styles - some of which would never be used again. Bubbles and Seashell, who would only be sold this year, were made in a sitting down pose. Though variant ponies made in other countries have mimicked this pose, in the ordinary line there are no more sitting down ponies. (It's believed this is because sitting ponies were hard to put in ponywear, due to the arrangement of their back hooves). Both Bubbles and Seashell also sported a blaze on their noses - another style never again copied.

Applejack and Bow Tie would go on to become some of the best known and best loved little ponies, and would see sundry re-issues. Both ponies featured the year's new 'Shy' pose, and both ponies had freckles on their cheeks. Hasbro obviously liked freckled ponies, as this concept was used again and again as the line progressed.

Cotton Candy and Blossom were retained from the first year,though both were now undoubtedly concave foot ponies.