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The Happy Tails Ponies: The Most Interactive MLP Figures From the 1980s

The Happy Tails Ponies are a delightful subset of the Generation 1 My Little Pony series. They were equipped with a tail mechanism!
The Happy Tails Ponies: The Most Interactive MLP Figures 1980s

The Happy Tails Ponies are a special subset of Generation 1 My Little Ponies, released in 1987 as part of Year Six of the My Little Pony toy line. What sets them apart from other ponies is their interactive tail mechanism, which allows their tails to spin when activated. This feature was a unique addition to the My Little Pony series, making these ponies more dynamic and engaging as toys.

The Happy Tails Ponies are all Earth Ponies (except for Tabby, who is a unicorn), and they come in a variety of bright and cheerful colors, each with a distinct and adorable symbol featuring different small animals, such as mice, rabbits, squirrels, and bears. The tails are made of a different, firmer material than the traditional soft My Little Pony hair to allow for smooth movement. However, this mechanism has made the Happy Tails Ponies more prone to wear and tear over time, with some vintage ponies suffering from mechanical issues or tail damage

Like many My Little Pony lines, the Happy Tails Ponies were released in different regions, including North America, Europe, and the UK, and some international versions have minor differences in colors, symbols, and the tail mechanism. Some European releases also lack the spinning tail feature altogether, making them visually identical but missing their signature interactive function.

The Complete List of Vintage Brush 'n Grow Ponies

The tail mechanism is activated by turning a plastic ring at the base of the pony’s tail, which causes the tail to rotate in a circular motion. This design was meant to mimic the movement of a pony flicking its tail, adding a fun, interactive element that made these ponies stand out from other figures in the series.

Here is the complete list of My Little Pony Happy Tails ponies:

The Happy Tails Ponies of MLP Year 6

My Little Pony G1 Happy Tail Tall Tales (Vintage)

My Little Pony G1 Happy Tail Tall Tales (Vintage)

Tall Tales stands out with her yellow body and blue hair, creating a vibrant and eye-catching combination. Her symbol depicts two pink squirrels.

  • Yellow body with blue hair.
  • Pink squirrels symbol.
  • Variants without tail mechanism or symbol.
  • Part of the Happy Tails series.
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Find Second-Hand Happy Tails Little Ponies

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My Little Pony G1 Essentials

If you want to learn more about ponies and how to restore them, here are two resources that can help. The first is the unofficial MLP G1 guide (which has photos, prices, etc). The second is my own book, Restoring My Little Pony!

Restoring My Little Pony is the result of almost three years of restoring and customizing My Little Pony toys for my channel RetroGeek Crafts. The book contains 86 pages full of detailed step-by-step guides, project features, material and technique comparisons, and much more. The book is mostly focused on My Little Pony Generation 1 (MLP G1). However, these techniques can be applied to all other generations, including MLP G2, G3, G4, and even G5.

This unofficial MLP guide to the first generation of My Little Pony (known as G1) was created by Summer Hayes. The book provides everything a collector needs to identify G1 ponies and their accessories, and understand their value. The guide contains large, full color photos of every pony, playset and accessory released in the US (and in some cases in other countries) in the 1980s and 1990s.

More My Little Pony Articles

More Vintage 'Girl' Toy Lines

Girl toys from the 80s and 90s hold a special place in the hearts of many, capturing the vibrant and imaginative spirit of those decades. These toys weren’t just about play—they were about storytelling, magic, and adventure. Iconic lines like My Little Pony and Strawberry Shortcake enchanted children with their colorful characters and whimsical worlds, while Rainbow Brite and Care Bears brought magic and friendship to life with plush toys and animated specials. With their vibrant colors, catchy themes, and lovable characters, these toys are more than just relics of the past—they are cherished memories of a time when playtime was filled with endless wonder and creativity.

Produced by Hasbro, this gorgeous and extensive line featured colorful ponies with brushable manes and tails, each with unique symbols and names. There are many my Little Pony generations.

Originating from American Greetings, these sweet-scented dolls and their friends lived in a berry-themed world. They became a huge hit, spawning dolls, playsets, and animated specials.

Following the adventures of Usagi Tsukino and her fellow Sailor Scouts, the Sailor Moon series and its merchandise captivated fans with action-packed battles, enchanting transformations, and messages of friendship and bravery.

Launched by American Greetings, these plush bears each had a “belly badge” representing their personality. They became a beloved toy line alongside TV specials and movies.

Produced by Hasbro, this doll line combined fashion and music with a storyline about a rock band, featuring dolls with bold styles, accessories, and playsets inspired by the animated show.

As the sister series to He-Man, this Mattel toy line featured powerful warrior princess She-Ra and her allies, with action figures and playsets appealing to both girls and boys.

Created by Bluebird Toys, these miniature dolls and compact playsets became a sensation in the 90s, offering portable, tiny worlds filled with accessories and themes.

Created by Hallmark and produced by Mattel, Rainbow Brite and her Color Kids brought color and magic to playtime, with a range of dolls, playsets, and animated adventures.

Glo Worm was a beloved toy from the 80s that comforted kids with its gentle glow and soft, cuddly design. Produced by Hasbro, this charming plush worm featured a light-up face that would illuminate when hugged.

Created by Hasbro, Moondreamers featured enchanting dolls who lived in the Dreamland universe and used their powers to ensure children had sweet dreams.