Are Rock Hard Ponies Worth Less?

[TokiBear]

So, I recently got my G1's out of storage... they were in plastic bags so there are a few that have gone almost completely rock hard... I'm not sure if it is the plasticizer leaking or something else as I know Quarterback was leaking at one point... the other few that are hard don't seem to be sticky at all.. just harder... a couple are rock hard and some are just harder around their hips and head... are these ponies degraded in value?  Now that they are all out in the open, is there something I can do to help them out?  Thanks!

[Like A Tea Spoon]

Once a pony goes rock, there is no going back, at least from what I am aware of 
I have one rock hard bait Sundance and she is 100% stone.

I don't know if this decreases their value, I am sure it does for more rare/valuable ponies to a certain percentage.

[lovesbabysquirmy]

Nope, doesn't really affect the value as all ponies will do this eventually.  Plus certain sets are notorious for it and most collectors are aware of it. 

[reanna-mator]

That and it doesn't perceptibly change the appearance of the pony. Looks the same on display. If anything, once all the plasticizer is gone and it's hard, you at least no longer have to keep wiping sticky stuff off your pony.

[Elisto]

Nope, doesn't really affect the value as all ponies will do this eventually.  Plus certain sets are notorious for it and most collectors are aware of it. 

Yeah, I agree. Also, I think some were simply harder to begin with? Maybe not rock-hard, but still, that seems like normal variation due to production and age. As long as the pony still looks OK, I don't see why texture would matter.

[TokiBear]

Thanks everyone!  I was worried as I didn't have access to them for a couple years and I knew I needed to get them out ASAP... I still don't have any place to display them, but I want to get them out... Do they still sunfade ok when they are harder?  There are a couple ponies that are harder but need a little sun fading.

[SeashellnBubbles]

Every TE Sky Rocket I've come across is entirely stoned! Lol! Like they looked at Medusa or something. I've noticed that rock ponies don't tend to have cancer, though, at least the ones I've seen...and they don't look weird or anything, so I think if you plan to sell them to just let people know as you never know who's bidding - a time tested hard nosed pony collector who's seen and knows it all or a newbie who has no idea the trials and tribulations of pony life!

[bagheera86]

i had a rock hard and heavy pony when I was a kid, I clocked my sister with it when she tried to take it from me. It was blueish I think. But I know for certain I was grounded for a very long time.

[brightberry]

i had a rock hard and heavy pony when I was a kid, I clocked my sister with it when she tried to take it from me. It was blueish I think. But I know for certain I was grounded for a very long time.

Weaponized ponies! 

My SweetStuff is very, very hard and it looks like it affected her neck seam a little bit.  When I compare her to a softer SweetStuff, it actually seems like the hard one shrunk?    I also have a Whizzer who looks like she has a shrunken head. The head got harder and the color is more concentrated.  I don't know what to make of that.  However, my Skyrocket is also very hard and she seems mostly ok.

But if the pony still looks nice and the only thing that changed about it was the hardness, I am ok with that.

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[SeashellnBubbles]

Awwwww mini Sweetstuff is a cutie patootie!

[hathorcat]

It is just the plasticiser having leaked completely that turns them rock solid - different mixes, moulds, batches will also result in different ponies having different balances hence why some start out harder than others.

To be honest I personally, and I am sure most collectors, would not think it devalues a pony at all. However, there may perhaps be some collectors who only collect something in as pristine a condition as possible who would consider them a lesser value. But for me I dont think there is any value difference.

[blonde2themax]

I don't think most collectors would mind if the pony has turned to stone.  Just so long as the pony itself hasn't changed color or shape.

[Diamond]

i had a rock hard and heavy pony when I was a kid, I clocked my sister with it when she tried to take it from me. It was blueish I think. But I know for certain I was grounded for a very long time.

Weaponized ponies! 

My SweetStuff is very, very hard and it looks like it affected her neck seam a little bit.  When I compare her to a softer SweetStuff, it actually seems like the hard one shrunk?    I also have a Whizzer who looks like she has a shrunken head. The head got harder and the color is more concentrated.  I don't know what to make of that.  However, my Skyrocket is also very hard and she seems mostly ok.

But if the pony still looks nice and the only thing that changed about it was the hardness, I am ok with that.

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Interesting, in model horse there is an issue with some molds from certain time frames shrinking, first time I have seen anything like this in ponies though. 

[fireglides]

Does this apply to G3s as well? Just curious. Or is it too soon to know?

[Stormness_1]

I have a trickles that is rock hard, and sunfading hasn't worked on her pink highlighter marks. I gave up, I was worried she'd crack or something out there, lol!