Ponyta's physiology is quite similar to that of a horse. However, its mane and tail are made of yellow and reddish-orange flames rather than the usual hair. Its fur is cream all over. It has four long legs, each ending in a single, gray hoof. These hooves are said to be harder than diamonds.
Gender differences
None.
Special abilities
Ponyta, as a Fire type, is capable of using a variety of Fire-type moves, and is one of the few Fire-type Pokémon capable of using Flame Wheel. As Ponyta’s hooves are quite hard, being ten times harder than diamonds, it is able to trample anything flat in little time. It also has extraordinary jumping abilities, and is capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound.
Behavior
Ponyta is generally a docile Pokémon that allows humans to ride on its back occasionally. However, if angered, it may choose to burn its rider.
A newborn Ponyta is a weak runner and is actually barely able to stand, but its legs gradually become stronger and faster by chasing after its parents. An hour after its hatching, its fiery mane and tail grow out, which is said to give it an impressive appearance. Ponyta is capable of jumping extremely high, training by jumping over grass that grows longer every day. Its hooves and sturdy legs absorb the impact of a hard landing. Ponyta runs in fields and mountains all day, and it kicks back with its hind legs at any presence it senses behind it.
Ponyta live in grasslands, on plains, or anywhere that they can find plenty of grass to eat and run freely. One is likely to find them in Kanto, the Sevii Islands, and Sinnoh.
Ponyta was first seen in the first round of the Yellow arc of Pokémon Adventures. It carried a postman to Pallet Town to deliver mail to Red but soon went berserk until it was calmed by a Venusaur, belonging to Red himself.
Platinum also owns a Ponyta which serves her as a form of transport. Although a weak battler with nothing but a streak of losses against every Gym Leader it had faced, in Canalave City, it was somehow able to defeat both of Byron's Bronzong and evolve soon afterwards, becoming a Rapidash.
Ash borrowed Lara Laramie's Ponyta when she couldn't qualify due to her having a broken arm. During the race, it evolved into a Rapidash and it became faster winning the race.
Ponyta's Stadium Pokédex makes reference to it being able to jump over the Eiffel Tower, another reference to the real-life world. Tokyo Tower is referenced in the Japanese version instead.
Ponyta and its evolution are based on fiery steeds in mythology, such as those belonging to the Greek god Helios, Skinfaxi of Norse mythology, or the horses of the Ashvins in Hindu myth. The fire on its Shiny counterpart refers to blue fire which gives a hotter temperature than the common counterparts.
Name origin
Ponyta is derived from pony. It may also be partly based on the foreign word bonita: in Spanish, Basque, and Catalan, it means nice; in Portuguese and Galician, it means beautiful; and in Latin, it means goodness. It could also be a shortened form of the word ponytail.