Yes, there are now more than 1000 unique Pokémon species featured throughout the Pokémon franchise. Every Pokémon is unique in appearance, and fan-favorites are often based on animals. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at all the Pokémon species that were designed after horses.
Here are all 11 of the horse-like Pokémon in the franchise so far.
Ponyta
Introduced first into the franchise in Pokémon Red and Blue, Ponyta is one of the most obvious choices when it comes to picking a great horse-inspired Pokémon. This fire-type Pokémon boasts the horse-like anatomy you would expect, but what makes it unique is obviously its mane made of burning flames. To make the adorable Ponyta even better, its shiny form swaps those scorching orange/yellow flames for a searing blue. There’s even a guaranteed shiny Ponyta as part of a quest in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
Rapidash
The evolution of Ponyta, Rapidash also joined the franchise with the initial releases of Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue while, naturally, boasting a similar aesthetic. The key difference between these two species is the size, with Rapidash being substantially larger, and also the horn the unicorn-esque horn protruding from its head. While a shiny Rapidash isn’t as blazingly blue as a shiny Ponyta, it’s still a stellar shiny form with its wisping grey/blue fire.
Blitzle
After multiple generations came and went, the next Pokémon similar to a horse was Blitzle, making its first appearance in Pokémon Black and White. The species is more similar to a zebra, but due to the animal’s similarity to a horse, we felt it belonged on this list. As an electric type, it has a fittingly lightning bolt-shaped mane and similar markings. Sadly, a shiny Blitzle isn’t much to write home about. Its blue pupils become green, and its black fur takes on more of an indigo color. It just looks like a Blitzle that was printed without enough toner.
Zebstrika
Zebstrika is the evolution of Blitzle. This new form boasts a second lighting bolt mane that flows down into its tail. The species’ overall size is also larger, meaning the markings on its body are more apparent and make its zebra-styled roots clear. Tragically, its shiny form looks even worse than Blitzle’s. The pupils are made green once more, and the black fur is a dark, dark purple that barely looks different from the original.
Keldeo
Also introduced in Pokemon Black and White, Keldeo was the first Legendary horse Pokémon added to the franchise. Much smaller than many of the other Pokémon on this list, Keldeo has a striking appearance with a flashy orange mane matched with blue accents. The dual-type Water and Fighting Pokémon has a second form that was added in the games’ sequels which looks similar. But the Resolute form boasts a larger horn protruding from Keldeo’s head. Its shiny form is a pretty good one! It exchanges the light blue fur and tail for a pastel green color and the orange fur on its head gets a softer tangerine-esque color.
Mudbray
Introduced in the Sun and Moon games, Mudbray appears to be a donkey-inspired Pokémon. While a donkey isn’t a horse, we felt that it wouldn’t be right to include Mudbray’s evolution without including Mudbray as well. With a rather simple appearance, there isn’t much to explain when it comes to this Ground-type Pokémon. Shiny Mudbray isn’t anything special. Its black fur gets a bluish tint, and its brown body gets a dash of orange. It looks more like a Sandbray than a Mudbray.
Mudsdale
The evolution of Mudbray, Mudsdale’s appearance is more unique compared to its pre-evolution. Boasting a massive black and orange mane with some large hooves to match, it becomes obvious why this species is known as the “Draft Horse Pokémon.” Sadly, this Clydesdale’s shiny form isn’t much better than its predecessor’s. Bluish black fur, and a more orange-ish body. The hypothetical Sandsdale to the hypothetical Sandbray.
Galarian Ponyta
When Sword and Shield launched, the franchise added a number of new Pokémon species, including a new form for Ponyta. Despite sharing the same name and general appearance as the Kanto species, this new form stands out with its substantially larger and multi-colored mane that matches its Fairy typing. Also new to its design is a small horn to really drive home the magical unicorn aesthetic. Like the original Ponyta, Galarian Ponyta’s shiny form is great. Each instance of purple in the Pokémon’s floofy fur is made pastel yellow, and each piece of blue is made a darker pastel green. Its like someone made lemon-lime flavored cotton candy.
Galarian Rapidash
Keeping with the unicorn aesthetic, Galarian Rapidash retains many of the features new to Galarian Ponyta. These include the coloring of its mane, a much larger horn, and substantially more fur to its mane, tail, and feathered feet than the original Rapidash had in its design. Similarly, its shiny form keeps the same color swaps that its predecessor has, and that is perfectly fine with us.
Glastrier
Introduced most recently as part of The Crowned Tundra DLC, Glastrier is an exceptional Legendary Pokémon with a striking horse-like appearance. As its name and appearance suggest, this species is an Ice type. Easy to see thanks to its mane made of icicles and icy hooves to match. These features are supposed to depict a helmet and boots, adding to the Pokémon’s dominant and aggressive aura. Sadly, Glastrier’s shiny form is a major bummer. All of its ice is giving a barely noticeable purplish/periwinkle tint and that’s it. Definitely not a shiny variant worth hunting.
Spectrier
Introduced alongside Glastrier was another Legendary horse Pokémon named Spectrier. With an entirely different aesthetic, there will be no confusion between these two since Spectrier’s Ghost typing is clear from its spooky purple mane and dark black color palette. While the purple coloring fits Spectrier’s Ghost vibe so well, its shiny form is a lot of fun. Its dark purple main is made scarlet, its tail is a brighter pink, and the wisps from its hooves get a dark magenta tone to give it more of a “horse from hell” feeling.
