How is it possible? :S

[Sandi]

I just took down all my G1 ponies from the shelves to dust them off a bit. Then I saw that some of them have dirt marks on them that wasn't there before. How is that possbile when they've been on the shelf all the time? :S I got a Toy Story feeling that they've been out playing when I haven't been home, lol. I also noticed that my Glory has an orange mark on her leg. What could that be? Mold? Rust? It doesn't look like cancer to me. It's usually more brownish.

[Xaniss]

Yes, Toy Story is true - your ponies have been frolicking joyously about when you're not at home.... 

But you know what it really means...? Your ponies want a bath! 

Seriously, I have no idea - could it be pollution entering via your window and causing dirt marks to appear? [I have no idea where you are located or what your environmental atmosphere is like - just a suggestion  ]

Dust Bunnies preferring ponies? Someone secretly playing with your ponies? Dirt coming from the roof? Yeah, ya can tell I've got nuthin'  But I have a Glory with an orange mark too... perhaps it's a discolouration over time in her plastic/vinyl [whatever she's made of..?] that a chemical reaction is being caused by age-related breakdown? Ah, still nuthin' 

[Buzzingbumblebee]

Do you live with someone who is perhaps touching your ponies when you're not looking? Secret pony love ^^. When I was little I placed my toys in a specific way to check if they had moved during the night .

[Nonnavlis]

You'd be surprised the strange things that will happen with ponies (The weirdest I've found being the recurring cloudy build up on My Pretty Pony's eyes).

It's possible that you may have handled them or had one fall off the shelf without remembering it, and that is how they accumulated a mark? It is true, though, that some ponies do acquire marks as their plastic degrades. If there is a lot of dust on them or their shelf they may also have acquired the marks that way? Or you may have looked the marks over previously do to differing lighting conditions, etc. Happens to me all the time. I usually take all my ponies out for a big cleaning once a year just because there's always something I've overlooked or not known how to take care of previously.

[Elisto]

Could be general dirt/dust buildup, stains that were always there but not entirely visible before, bugs leaving dirt behind (I've had this problem from Stink Bugs), pets or other people...the right now, all of my ponies are in boxes, and that seems to protect them from unexplained dirt and marks. When I do get to display them, I plan on keeping them inside glass cabinets to keep them clean.

[Vintergatan]

It can be any number of things named here, but I´ll also go with either pollution entering the house, or even insects and such. My ponies would always get filthy if I left them on shelves which is why I NEVER keep them outside on enclosed spaces anymore. The only way I display them nowdays is in a glass cupboard

[lovesbabysquirmy]

It's possible because they are 30 year old vinyl toys...    *pony hugs*

[Sandi]

Thanks for all answers. I know for sure it's not a person or a pet. Sure my mom thinks the ponies are cute, but I don't think she goes around touching them (with dirty hands) when I don't see. And my guinea pigs can't have done it, for obvious reasons. We haven't had any bugs in here since last summer. A house spider or two maybe, but I don't think they have caused it.

It must be either the dust or the plastic itself then. :/ Unfortunetly I don't have a glass cabin so I'm gonna put plastic wrap over them.

[hyenacub]

When I was little I placed my toys in a specific way to check if they had moved during the night

That's adorable!  Did they move?

[michelle53]

When I was little I placed my toys in a specific way to check if they had moved during the night

That's adorable!  Did they move?

OMG Hyena, I asked that out loud right after I read that.  I want to know...did they move???

[HavACrumpet452]

I wouldn't seal them in anything because you'll be sealing the moisture in. I don't know how you planned to plastic wrap them. I think it sounds like they were touching against something if they got colored marks. If they are wearing pony clothing it will dye their plastic over time.

[hyenacub]

OMG Hyena, I asked that out loud right after I read that.  I want to know...did they move???

  Great minds think alike!

[hathorcat]

As LBS says as 30 year old plastic toys...things happen [hopefully not them moving by themselves] but general dust collection and plastic break down. If you are worried about what something in particular is you could take pictures and post them for comment!

[Juri]

I like to think they are going on some wonderful adventures