11 Pokemon That Look Like Horses & the Legends They Came From

Horse Pokemon go back to the first generation, when Ponyta and Rapidash were the only two. Of the 1025 Pokemon in the National Pokedex, 11 look like horses today, including a donkey that eats dirt and the Pokemon its own legends call the creator of all things.

Most of these designs mix a real breed with a legend. Mudsdale is a Clydesdale with dreadlocks. Spectrier takes after an extinct black draft horse and feeds on the life force of sleeping creatures. (We would also like a horse. We have nowhere to put one.)

Seven of the 11 have a horse word in their official category, like Ponyta's Fire Horse Pokemon or Mudbray's Donkey Pokemon (the category is the short title the Pokedex gives each species). The other four come from zebras and mythical horses.

All 11 Horse Pokemon

#077

Ponyta

Ponyta is the Fire Horse Pokemon, a yellow pony with a fiery mane. Its design may come from the fiery steeds of mythology, such as the horses of the Greek god Helios or Skinfaxi of Norse mythology, and from the fire horse of the Chinese zodiac. Its Pokedex entry says Ponyta live in herds out in the grassland, and that newborn foals lack their fiery manes, which develop about an hour after birth. (One hour of being a normal horse. We hope they enjoy it.)

The Galarian form, found in the Galar region, may be based on a Shetland pony and modern depictions of a unicorn. Its signature ability, Pastel Veil, may come from the belief that unicorn horns can cure diseases and neutralize poisons. An ability is a passive effect that works on its own in battle.

Its best stat is a Speed of 90 (Speed decides who attacks first in a turn).

#078

Rapidash

Rapidash evolves from Ponyta at level 40 and grows to 1.7 m tall. Its horn shows it may have been inspired by unicorns, but the rest of it looks a lot like a regular horse. Its newest Pokedex entry says it darts like an arrow across the land, and that it can traverse the vast region of Hisui in a day and a half. (A whole region in a day and a half. We need that long to answer one email.)

Its Speed of 105 backs that up. Its Flash Fire ability protects it against Fire moves, and once it has blocked one, its own Fire moves deal 1.5× damage until it leaves battle.

Galarian Rapidash appears to be based on more modern depictions of unicorns, and its inclusion in Galar may come from the unicorn being the national animal of Scotland.

#483

Dialga

Dialga is the odd one here, since most of its body comes from short-necked sauropod dinosaurs such as Camarasaurus. The horse part comes from the qilin and the Longma, mythical creatures with both equine and dragon-like qualities. Its Dragon type pushes the dragon side further. The turquoise pattern on its body is vaguely reminiscent of clock hands, which fits the Temporal Pokemon.

Its Pokedex entry says it is revered as a deity in Hisuian legend, and that its birth caused the vast river of time to begin flowing. It stands 5.4 m tall, the tallest Pokemon on this list, and weighs 683 kg. (Somewhere a real horse is upset to share a page with a sauropod.)

Its Special Attack of 150 is its best stat.

#493

Arceus

Arceus appears to be based on a creator deity, and its design may also draw from fantastical beings such as centaurs and Sleipnir. Its Pokedex entry says Hisuian mythology states that Arceus is the creator of all things, and that its luminance guides and protects all Pokemon.

Its six stats are all 120, for a base stat total of 720, the highest of any horse Pokemon. Its ability, Multitype, changes its type and form to match the Plate it holds. One player summed up the usual take on it as "a big smug horse with a hula hoop", which refers to the gold ring around its middle. (We cannot unsee the hula hoop now. Neither can you.)

#522

Blitzle

Blitzle resembles a zebra foal. It may also be based on Bronte and Sterope, two of the steeds that pulled the chariot of the Greek sun god Helios, whose names are Greek for thunder and lightning. At 0.8 m tall, it is the smallest Pokemon on this list.

Its Pokedex entry says its mane shines when it discharges electricity, and that Blitzle use the frequency and rhythm of these flashes to communicate. (Talking by blinking your hair. We barely manage texting.) It evolves into Zebstrika at level 27.

#523

Zebstrika

Zebstrika appears to be based on a zebra, and it shares Blitzle's link to the thunder and lightning horses of Helios. Its species name in Japanese can be translated as the Thunder and Lightning Pokemon. Its Pokedex entry says it has lightning-like movements, and that when Zebstrika run at full speed, the sound of thunder reverberates.

Its Speed of 116 is the second highest here. Its Motor Drive ability absorbs Electric moves and raises its Speed one stage instead of taking damage.

#647

Keldeo

Keldeo, the Colt Pokemon, is most likely based on the Scottish legend of the kelpie, a supernatural water horse that sometimes appeared as a lost pony. It is also likely based on the kirin, sometimes called the Chinese unicorn, which is often shown with a single backward curving horn and the ability to walk on water.

The rest of the Swords of Justice draw on The Three Musketeers, and Keldeo may draw on d'Artagnan, the youngest of the group. Its tail even resembles d'Artagnan's feathered cap. Its Pokedex entry says it must survive harsh battles and fully develop the horn on its forehead before its true power awakens. (Growing up, but the main event is a horn.)

#749

Mudbray

Mudbray seems to be based on a donkey, and its category is the Donkey Pokemon. Its Pokedex entry says it eats dirt to create mud and smears this mud all over its feet, giving them the grip needed to walk on rough terrain without slipping. (A self-made hiking boot. We respect it and will not try it.)

It stands 1 m tall and weighs 110 kg. Its Attack is 100, and its Stamina ability raises its Defense one stage each time a move hits it. Players who bring it up mostly talk about how likable the design is.

#750

Mudsdale

Mudsdale evolves from Mudbray at level 30. It resembles draft horses such as the Clydesdale, known for the feathering on their legs, and its hair appears to be based on dreadlocks. Its Pokedex entry says it has so much stamina that it could carry over 10 tons across the Galar region without rest or sleep.

At 920 kg, it is the heaviest Pokemon on this list. Its Attack is 125 and its Speed is 35. (Ten tons and no nap. We need a lie-down after the shopping.)

#896

Glastrier

Glastrier, the Wild Horse Pokemon, may be based on the unicorn, the national animal of Scotland, which the Crown Tundra is based on. It may also be based on Shire horses and Clydesdale horses, and its large ice-covered hooves may be a stylization of their feathered hooves. Its Pokedex entry says the mask of ice covering its face is 100 times harder than diamond.

Its Attack of 145 is the highest on this list. Its Chilling Neigh ability boosts its Attack after it knocks out a Pokemon.

Glastrier and Spectrier both serve Calyrex, a Pokemon known as a king, which rides them using the Reins of Unity, woven in part from hairs from the steed's mane. That may come from the legend of Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland, said to be the only person ever to ride a Pooka, a mischievous faery in the form of a black horse.

#897

Spectrier

Spectrier, the Swift Horse Pokemon, appears to be based on the Old English Black, an extinct horse breed that influenced the bloodline of modern Shire horses and Clydesdale horses. As a black horse that mostly appears at night, it may also take direct inspiration from the Pooka.

Its Pokedex entry says it absorbs the life force of sleeping creatures as it dashes through the night, and that it craves silence and solitude. (Finally, a horse that gets us.) Its ability to prey on sleeping creatures may be a wordplay on mare, which in English means both a sleep demon and a female horse.

It weighs only 44.5 kg next to Glastrier's 800 kg. Its Speed of 130 is the highest here, and its Grim Neigh ability boosts its Special Attack after it knocks out a Pokemon.

Horse Pokemon Belong to Gods and Kings

Five of the 11 horse Pokemon are legendary or mythical (rare Pokemon tied to the game's big stories): Dialga, Arceus, Keldeo, Glastrier and Spectrier. Even the ordinary ones carry that history. Ponyta and Rapidash may come from the fiery steeds of Helios, and Blitzle and Zebstrika from the thunder and lightning horses that pulled his chariot.

The donkey line breaks the pattern. Mudbray and Mudsdale are farm animals that eat dirt and haul freight, and players like them for it. (We see ourselves in the donkey. We are not ready to talk about it.)

If you want to see where each one shows up, the Pokedex has a page for all of them.

Horse Pokemon FAQ

How many horse Pokemon are there?

11 Pokemon look like horses. Seven of them have a horse word in their category, and Blitzle, Zebstrika, Dialga and Arceus were designed from zebras and mythical horses.

What is the strongest horse Pokemon?

Arceus, with a base stat total of 720. Among the horse Pokemon that are not legendary or mythical, Rapidash and Mudsdale tie at 500.

Is Arceus a horse?

No. Arceus is based on a creator deity, though its design may also draw from centaurs and Sleipnir.

Which Pokemon is a zebra?

Blitzle and Zebstrika. Blitzle resembles a zebra foal and evolves into Zebstrika at level 27.

Is Keldeo a unicorn?

Yes, in part. Keldeo is likely based on the kirin, sometimes called the Chinese unicorn, and on the kelpie, a water horse from Scottish legend.