Thanks all - My Little Pony didn't get realeased until I was 8/9 years old so I think being a bit older with my ponies and not playing with them for that many years probably contributes to their better condition. I think my Mum also did a great job of storing them!
I wish I had been born younger so I could have enjoyed them for longer as a child, I love some of the later releases of G1 - at least I get to enjoy them now as an adult