Actually I disagree, $65 will get you certain MOC ponies - you probably want to look more towards more common (but not as desirable) ponies MOC - not early ponies - like the Sundae Best ponies seem to come up often, usually in nice shape on the card, and are probably like $40-50
I just paid under $35 for a MOC SHS pony. Her card has some damage, but the pony itself does not, and she'll still display nicely in her package... so, just watch, wait, bid smart...
Ponies like the early ones - Years 2-4, So Softs, Princesses, Twinkle Eyes, TAFs - they always tend to be more expensive. Same with flutters, Wingers, Sea Ponies (adults moreso than babies, but babies too) ... sometimes random Baby ponies aren't as expensive as adults (like PeekABoo or Drink "n Wet babies) - Newborn twins tend to go pretty high... later years like 9-10 can also be pricey, because they started to lose popularity at that point...