Your opinion on earth-toned or "naturally" colored ponies?

[Silver Glade]

So, we all know that one of the signature features of MLP is all of the rainbow coloring the ponies have - Technicolor combinations that are, obviously, fantastical and nothing like real horses. 

I've got another hypothetical question for you guys!  What are your thoughts on MLP figures with "natural" coloring, i.e. coat colors and patterns based on actual horse breeds?  There are a few out there (like the Macau Jenny who is currently winning today's Derby poll), and most people know that MLP started out as the large "horsey-colored" toy, My Pretty Pony.

Would you have liked it if there were a couple special releases or sets of ponies in various browns, grays, golds, etc.?  Or is the candy coloration one of the most appealing things about MLP that attracted you in the first place?

Personally, I like the "reverse fantasy" idea of coloration in the MLP world; that earth-toned horses are just as otherworldly to the Little Ponies as their candy coloring is otherworldly to us.  Maybe some MLP legends and folklore have earth-toned ponies as the protagonists!  Or maybe earth tones were the "primitive" state of MLPs, and somewhere along the line they evolved into more random and bright coloration.   

I think it might have been fun to have a few special releases in G1 of "real world" colors - like a few mail order variants, or something.  What say you guys?

[Roogna]

daring do is pretty darn close to earth toned so I would say yes on the reverse logic LOL

[Moonracer]

It would be pretty cool to have those.

Incidentally, Bonnie Zacherle once mentioned that they originally wanted to have a line of ponies in their natural colors (also it was to be a toyline for both girls and boys). She even showed off some of the prototypes at one of the conventions (there's even a video of it on youtube).

[Sunset]

For me it's the fantasy aspect that makes MLP and really sets it apart. The occasional real toned pony is interesting as a curiosity but if I wanted that on a regular bases, I would collect Breyers more.

I have seen the interview with Bonnie about her original concept and all I keep thinking is "thank goodness she wasn't the only one who had a hand in the creation of MLP."  I know that opinion might not be popular but it is my heart felt belief that MLP wouldn't have been as popular or have lasted for 30 years with out the fantasy aspect.

[bluerose9978]

I love the fantasy aspect too. But it would have been nice to throw in a real color pony in every once in a while just to make it interesting. Like one that was gray with white hair but maybe her hair changed to pink in the sun to give her that magical aspect.

[ringwraith10]

Yes, these are my favorites! There are so few official ponies with these colors, and when I see customs that are painted to look more natural I love them. I always wished they had made toys of Megan's ponies from her farm back home. Or that in the show she had brought her ponies to visit the magical ponies. I just always wanted some kind of interaction (or even acknowledgement from the characters) there.

[Miniature Sheep]

One of my favourite things about ponies has always been their bright colours and the sheer variety of them. The fantasy aspect also appeals because even in my 20s, I still love unicorns and the like. However, it would be nice to see some natural colours and patterns too. I reckon an MLP toy with appaloosa markings would be nice, naturally coloured or otherwise.

[Shiverdam]

It would be pretty cool to have those.

Incidentally, Bonnie Zacherle once mentioned that they originally wanted to have a line of ponies in their natural colors (also it was to be a toyline for both girls and boys). She even showed off some of the prototypes at one of the conventions (there's even a video of it on youtube).

Do you know where the video is?

EDIT: I found it! Natural colored ponies would actually be pretty neat.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK60SJkRIEM

[Whippycorn]

I'd love them. The brown spotted one in that video made me squee! 

[tuneful87]

I think a natural-looking line might be interesting, but it would have to be done right. Because the ponies are so cartoony looking, I'm not sure natural colors would compliment them very well. I think they would need a 'wow factor'...either a pearlescent finish or something else to give them that special touch.


ETA: I like that interview with Bonnie and I think natural looking ponies could have worked after all. A bit more detail would have to be worked out with spots/dapples/etc though. I also like how the ponies were originally meant for both boys and girls.

[DazzleKitty]

If they made a set like this, I think it would be really neat. I love MLP for its colorfullness, but a set of earth toned ponies would be neat to see.

[mlp4me]

I kinda like those wild color combos!
I'm not opposed to the more natural/neutral tones either...

[Rainbowrific Renia]

I think it would be kinda cool to see a set of more realistically colored ponies, but I admit that part of what draws me in to MLP are the bright color combinations and the fantasy elements.

[Malicieuse]

I dislike naturally colored ponies. I don't care about real ponies/horses and colors like "brown/grey/white/black" are pretty dull to me.
This is why i really don't like how FIM sticks brown on nearly every male pony. As if male ponies need to have "manly" dull colors.

To be honest, i'm glad the original idea of Zacherle never happened. I would never had loved MLP if that had been the case.
I'm all about the fantasy element of MLP. I mean, if they had just been regular horses than i could just as well have collected any other horse toy. Plenty of those to be found.

[Doedeardarling]

Bright fantasy colors are what first drew my interest, and what sets MLP apart from other horse toylines. I don't think I'd be very interested in more ordinary looking ponies.