Best Pokemon Based on Horses

Summary

• Only a handful of horse Pokemon exist in the franchise, including iconic ones like Ponyta and Rapidash.
• Some horse-inspired Pokemon include Galarian Ponyta and Rapidash, along with Dialga and Palkia in their Origin Formes.
• Keldeo, Mudbray, Mudsdale, Glastrier, and Spectrier are other notable horse-themed Pokemon with unique designs and abilities.

From mushroom Pokemon to rabbit Pokemon – the team at GameFreak takes inspiration for their Pokemon games wherever they can get it. With this in mind (and bearing in mind that there are now over a thousand Pokemon in the franchise), it’s honestly a surprise that there are only a few Pokemon based on horses.

Despite this lack of numbers, some of the most classic and memorable Pokemon are based on horses, as well as some forgotten friends that are rarely brought back for newer games.

Updated December 19, 2024 by Ben Painter: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet (and its The Hidden Treasures of Area Zero DLC) did not introduce any more Pokemon that were inspired by horses. As such, gamers will have to wait for the next entry in the series, Pokemon Legends Z-A, for a chance to see some more galloping Pokemon entering the Pokedex.

Until this title releases, however, there is no reason why fans can’t look back at the horse-themed Pokemon that have appeared throughout the series thus far. For those looking to find out more about these curious steeds, this article has been updated to include three more entries that are based on horses.

14 Ponyta

A Fire Horse Pokemon

• Type: Fire
• Generation: 1
• Game Introduced: Pokemon Red & Blue
• Location In Scarlet & Violet: N/A

The first horse Pokemon that players will have encountered in the ’90s is Ponyta, the Fire Horse Pokemon. A Gen 1 classic, Ponyta is a Fire-type horse with hooves that are ten times harder than diamonds, according to its first Pokedex entry. It’s also, very specifically, capable of jumping over the Eiffel Tower.

Ponyta is the embodiment of what makes these horse Pokemon stand out, with its graceful, swift nature and its ability to leap effectively — thanks to its lightweight. Despite its flaming backside, this Pokemon can control the potency of its fire, allowing people to ride it around.

Ponyta’s Base Stats:

13 Galarian Ponyta

A Unique Horn Pokemon

• Type: Psychic/Fairy
• Generation: 8
• Game Introduced: Pokemon Sword & Shield
• Location In Scarlet & Violet: N/A

In Pokemon Sword & Shield, Ponyta’s even more majestic Galarian form was introduced as a Psychic/Fairy-type with incredible intuition. Although both forms of Ponyta have the same base stats, their typing and movepools are completely different, which makes for a unique experience, despite them technically being both the same Pokemon.

According to its Shield Pokedex entry, the Pokemon will look trainers in the eyes and read the contents of their hearts. If it finds evil, it will promptly run away and hide.

Galarian Ponyta’s Base Stats:

12 Rapidash

A Fire Horse Pokemon

• Type: Fire
• Generation: 1
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Red & Blue
• Location In Scarlet & Violet: N/A

Rapidash is the evolved form of Ponyta, evolving at Level 40. As its name suggests, Rapidash is an extremely fast Pokemon, with a running speed of up to 150mph. This speedy Pokemon races anything that moves with the hopes of outpacing it. It is also said to enhance its surroundings with its beautiful, fiery mane.

With its pronounced horn, the creature resembles a fiery unicorn more than a typical horse, though its behavior remains much like that of the animal group in question. Its long mane of yellow and orange gives it a look that’s both elegant and intimidating. When moving at full speed, its already hypnotic mane unleashes sparkles, too.

Rapidash’s Base Stats:

11 Galarian Rapidash

A Unique Horse Pokemon

• Type: Psychic/Fairy
• Generation: 8
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Sword & Shield
• Location In Scarlet & Violet: N/A

Like Ponyta, Rapidash also received a regional form in Pokemon Sword & Shield, with similar healing properties. It also boasts an even longer unicorn-esque horn, which has been known to draw psychic power and pierce through sheet metal. It possesses the highly unique ability, Pastel Veil too.

In the anime, the Galarian Rapidash actually gets healed by a younger version of itself (Ponyta) when it is found injured in the woods by Chloe. Visually, this steed is easily one of the most appealing horse-inspired Pokemon, sporting a beautiful mane that covers a significant portion of its body.

Galarian Rapidash’s Base Stats:

10 Dialga (Origin Forme)

A Temporal Pokemon

• Type: Steel/Dragon
• Generation: 8
• Game Introduced: Pokemon: Legends Arceus
• Location In Scarlet & Violet: N/A

A Pokemon that is loosely based on a horse, Dialga. The Legendary Pokemon was originally first introduced in Pokemon Diamond as the game’s mascot, but it did not have a horse design, looking more like a dragon or a dinosaur.

That was until many years later when it received a new form in Pokemon Legends: Arceus with its Origin Forme. It grew longer legs, which made it appear more like Arceus as a Pokemon. This draws inspiration from the Qilin or Longma mythical creatures, which share both equine and dragon qualities, which sums up Origin Forme Dialga perfectly.

Dialga’s Base Stats:

9 Palkia (Origin Forme)

A Spatial Pokemon

• Type: Water/Dragon
• Generation: 8
• Game Introduced: Pokemon: Legends Arceus
• Location In Scarlet & Violet: N/A

Like with Dialga, Palkia also received an Origin Forme in Legends: Arceus, but this one is much more horse-inspired. The Spatial Pokemon grew four legs complete with hooves, which is a clear case for this Pokemon being based on the galloping animal. Specifically, it is a combination of a Pegasus and a Centaur, two famous mythical horses.

Originally the mascot for Pokemon Pearl, its design in that game has nothing to do with a horse, and its typing also has nothing to suggest it is a Water/Dragon type. This also doesn’t make sense, considering this is the Pokemon of Space; it raises the case for there being a brand-new Cosmic type.

Palkia’s Base Stats:

8 Arceus

An Alpha Pokemon

• Type: Normal
• Generation: 4
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Diamond & Pearl
• Location In Scarlet & Violet: N/A

The god of all Pokemon, Arceus, is based on many things quite clearly as a creator deity, given its in-universe lore as the creator of all Pokemon. There is clearly a horse-based inspiration in the way it gallops and stands on its four legs. Its strongest tie is to the Egyptian god Apis.

It may be a stretch to consider this Pokemon, a horse, but there is certainly an inspiration here. The Alpha Pokemon is rare in the games, only really available through limited-time events. It has the unique ability to change its type to whatever type of plate it has as a held item, which also changes its signature move, Judgement, to that type.

Arceus’s Base Stats:

7 Blitzle

An Electrified Pokemon

• Type: Electric
• Generation: 5
• Game Introduced: Pokemon Black & White
• Location In Scarlet & Violet: Savanna Biome, Tera Raid Battles (1★)

Blitzle is an Electric-type zebra Pokemon introduced in Pokemon Black & White‘s Gen 5. Its name is potentially a combination of blitz, the German word for lightning, and little, which would certainly line up with the Pokemon’s appearance.

It makes a few appearances in the anime and wasn’t originally featured in Pokemon Scarlet or Violet, but it made a re-appearance in the Indigo Disk DLC. The shocking zebra can be found frolicking around the Savanna Biome, which is located in the Blueberry Academy Terrarium.

Blitzle’s Base Stats:

6 Zebstrika

A Thunderbolt Pokemon

• Type: Electric
• Generation: 5
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Black & White
• Location In Scarlet & Violet: Savanna Biome, Tera Raid Battles (4★)

Zebstrika is the evolved form of Blitzle, starting at Level 27. Zebstrika (and Blitzle) may be based on the Ancient Greek god Helios’ steeds, Bronte and Sterope, which are Greek for thunder and lightning. It’s also the only Pokemon with a base stat of 497.

Zebstrika makes a major appearance in the Black & White anime as Stephen’s Pokemon, taking part in numerous battles throughout the series. It eventually loses to Ash’s Palpitoad, however, following a string of ties and victories.

Zebstrika’s Base Stats:

5 Keldeo

A Colt Pokemon

• Type: Water/Fighting
• Generation: 5
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Black & White
• Location In Scarlet & Violet: N/A

Keldeo is a Gen 5 Water/Fighting-type Mythical Pokemon with a tragic backstory. It’s the only known Pokemon capable of learning the move Secret Sword, which transforms it into its Resolute form.

Keldeo was tragically separated from their parents in a fire that started as a result of a war among humans. It was then taken in by three Pokemon, Colbalion, Terrakion, and Virizion, who raised it and taught it how to survive. Together, they make up the Swords of Justice, a team that protects other Pokemon from human interference.

Keldeo’s Base Stats:

4 Mudbray

A Donkey Pokemon

• Type: Ground
• Generation: 7
• Game Introduced: Pokemon Sun & Moon
• Location In Scarlet & Violet: South Province: Area One, Area Two, Area Five, East Province: Area Two, West Province: Area One, North Province: Dalizapa Passage, Tera Raid Battles (2★), Wistful Fields, Paradise Barrens

Mudbray is a Ground-type Donkey Pokemon that was introduced in Gen 7. Its name is a combination of mud (referring to its Ground typing) and bray — the cry of a Donkey, which is the animal that it is partly based on).

This cute little horse Pokemon makes an appearance in the Pokemon anime. In fact, many of them do. As a Pokemon living on Paniola Ranch, the Mudbray appears multiple times and even spits mud at Ash and his classmates’ faces. This is referenced in the Pokemon’s anime Pokedex entry, which states that a Mudbray’s daily routine involves eating dirt and frolicking in the mud that it kicks up.

Mudbray’s Base Stats:

3 Mudsdale

A Draft Horse Pokemon

• Type: Ground
• Generation: 7
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Sun & Moon
• Location In Scarlet & Violet: South Province: Area Six, North Province: Area One, Dalizapa Passage, Glaseado Mountain, Tera Raid Battles (5★)

Based on draft horses called Clydesdales, Mudsdale is the evolution of Mudbray starting at Level 30. Mudsdale, like its pre-evolution, has been in every Pokemon game since its introduction in Gen 7.

Beyond its value as a labor source, this Ground-type is also prized for its ability to create super-hard mud that was used to line the walls of old houses. Like its real-life counterpart, Mudsdale is also incredibly strong, being able to carry over ten tons across the entirety of the Galar region without rest or sleep.

Mudsdale’s Base Stats:

2 Glastrier

A Wild Horse Pokemon

• Type: Ice
• Generation: 8
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Sword & Shield – The Crown Tundra DLC
• Location In Scarlet & Violet: Glaseado Mountain after receiving the Glastrier Treat from Snacksworth (Only one)

One of two options available to players in the Gen 8 The Crown Tundra DLC, Glastrier is a wild horse Pokemon with an icy mane similar to Ponyta and Rapidash’s fiery one. It has a striking design, making it one of the best horse-themed Pokemon in the series.

Like its counterpart, Glastrier fuses with Calyrex using the ‘Reins of Unity’ to become Ice Rider Calyrex. Glastrier’s name is likely a combination of glacier and destrier, the latter of which was a type of medieval war horse. It also resembles a unicorn, Scotland’s national animal, which is in line with its introduction in The Crown Tundra (a region that is largely inspired by Scotland).

Glastrier’s Base Stats:

1 Spectrier

A Swift Horse Pokemon

• Type: Ghost
• Generation: 8
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Sword & Shield – The Crown Tundra DLC
• Location In Scarlet & Violet: Glaseado Mountain after receiving the Spectrier Treat from Snacksworth (Only one)

Spectrier was also introduced in The Crown Tundra DLC along with Glastrier. Interestingly, its Attack and Special Attack stats are directly switched with Glastrier’s, choosing between the two a tactical one as well as an aesthetic one. Spectrier is also the only known pure Ghost Pokemon to have no evolutionary relative. It may be based on one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse, likely the black horse of Famine, as it has the ability to absorb the life force from living creatures.

Both Glastrier and Spectrier made a return in the DLC of Pokemon Scarlet & Violet as some of the legendary Pokemon available from Snacksworth, who gives out treats to lure Legendary Pokemon after the user completes 10 Blueberry Quests. In Scarlet, Glastrier is available for Solo Quests, and in Violet, it is available from Group Quests (played with a friend in the Union Circle). Spectrier is available in Violet via Solo Quests and in Scarlet via Group Quests.

Spectrier’s Base Stats: