SPECIALIZING IN VINTAGE TOY LINES FROM THE 80s AND 90s
This page contains affiliate links. As a partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase.
SPECIALIZING IN VINTAGE TOY LINES FROM THE 80s AND 90s
This page contains affiliate links. As a partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase.
We take a look at the My Little Pony Big Brother ponies and learn more about their unique themes, poses, symbols, and vibrant personalities.
Big Brother Ponies were first introduced in Year 5 (1986-1987). These adult My Little Pony male ponies had a larger build and feathered hooves. There were two molds used that year: Tex (used for two ponies) and Quarterback (used for four ponies). All of them came with a hat, a bandana, and a brush shaped like either a frog or a grasshopper.
The first six ponies each had unique personalities and interests, often centered on adventurous or practical themes such as trucks, sports, steam trains, or boats. In the TV series’ Somnambula episode, they appeared when an evil sorceress forced the ponies and friends to perform in her magic circus.
Each Big Brother Pony has a bold and vibrant design, with distinct color combinations and symbols that reflect their individual themes. For example, Tex has a cowboy-inspired cactus symbol and Steamer a vintage train motif (which hinted at their specific personas, popular with Big Brother ponies, such as sailors, athletes, truck drivers, and more).
My Little Pony Year 5
Here are the Big Brother Ponies from Year 5, the year Hasbro introduced this new line of toys. As soon as these ponies made it to the market, they instantly got attention because they looked quite different from any previous pony. These six are relatively easy to find, but go for a little more than the “female” ponies of the same year.
My Little Pony Year 6
During Hasbro’s My Little Pony Year 6, the company released nine new ponies. Each of them had a distinctive personality and unique symbol that reflected their passions, from exploring uncharted lands to braving the elements. They came with bright colors and signature bandanas.
My Little Pony Year 7 and Year 8
There is one final Big Brother pony we need to cover, and that’s Coat ‘n Tails, which was released during Years Seven and Eight:
Six of the Year 6 Big Brother ponies were only available in Europe under the collection name “Mountain Boy Ponies.” These are highly collectible today (and quite difficult to find). You probably won’t come across them in the usual second-hand marketplace, and might have to go to specialized groups to find one – especially in good condition. You can learn more about them in The Unofficial My Little Pony Companion.
The world of My Little Pony is… huge. We’re talking thirteen years of collections featuring all sorts of figures and toys! So, I’ve been working on creating smaller guides to help you navigate this wonderful pastel-colored world. Below, you will find (some!) pages with ponies sorted by year, collection (such as Birthflower ponies, Spanish Piggies, etc), country, and much more. I hope they help!
With 400 pages of G1 ponies, The Unofficial My Little Pony Companion is a deep dive into the world of My Little Pony and the people who created the line.
The book includes custom-made images of thousands of pony variants, graphics, beautiful illustrations, and, for the first time, a comprehensive list of ALL Nirvana (foreign) ponies shown and described in detail—as well as previously unknown details about how ponies were manufactured and distributed all around the world. Follow the link to learn more!
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.
Girl toys from the 80s and 90s hold a special place in the hearts of many. Iconic lines like My Little Pony and Strawberry Shortcake had colorful characters and whimsical worlds, while Rainbow Brite and Care Bears brought magic and friendship to life with plush toys and animated specials. Explore other magical vintage favorites from the 80s and beyond.
