Summary
Frommushroom Pokemon to rabbit Pokemon, the team at GameFreak takes inspiration for theirPokemongames 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 fewPokemon 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 Jun 17, 2025, by Ben Painter:Pokemon Scarlet & Violet (and its The Hidden Treasures of Area Zero DLC) did not introduce any more horse-inspired Pokemon. 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 two more entries that are technically inspired by horses.
16Ponyta
A Fire Horse Pokemon
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-typehorse 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 light weight. Despite its flaming backside, this Pokemon can control the potency of its fire, allowing people to ride it around.
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15Galarian Ponyta
A Unique Horn Pokemon
InPokemon Sword & Shield, Ponyta’s even moremajestic Galarian form was introduced as aPsychic/Fairy-typewith 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 itsShieldPokedex 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.
14Rapidash
Rapidash is the evolved form of Ponyta, evolving atLevel 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.
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13Galarian Rapidash
A Unique Horse Pokemon
Like Ponyta, Rapidash also receiveda regional form inPokemon 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 Veiltoo.
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.
12Dialga (Origin Forme)
A Temporal Pokemon
A Pokemon that is loosely based on a horse, Dialga. The Legendary Pokemon was originally first introduced inPokemon Diamondas 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 inPokemon Legends: Arceuswith 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.
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11Palkia (Origin Forme)
A Spatial Pokemon
Like with Dialga, Palkia also received an Origin Forme inLegends: 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 forPokemon Pearl, its design in that game has nothing to do with a horse, and its typing also has nothing to suggest it is aWater/Dragontype. This also doesn’t make sense, considering this is the Pokemon of Space; it raises the case for there beinga brand-new Cosmic type.
10Arceus
An Alpha Pokemon
The god of all Pokemon, Arceus, is based on many things quite clearly 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 changesits signature move,Judgement, to that type.
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9Blitzle
An Electrified Pokemon
Blitzle is anElectric-typezebra Pokemon introduced inPokemon Black & White’s Gen 5. Its name is potentially a combination of blitz, the German word for lightning, and little, which would certainlyline up with the Pokemon’s appearance.
It makes a few appearances in the anime and wasn’t originally featured inPokemon ScarletorViolet, but it made a re-appearance in theIndigo Disk DLC. The shocking zebra can be found frolicking around the Savanna Biome, which is located in the Blueberry Academy Terrarium.
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8Zebstrika
A Thunderbolt Pokemon
Zebstrika is the evolved form of Blitzle, starting atLevel 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 of497.
Zebstrika makesa major appearance in theBlack & Whiteanimeas 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.
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7Keldeo
A Colt Pokemon
Keldeo isa Gen 5Water/Fighting-typeMythical Pokemon with a tragic backstory. It’s the only known Pokemon capable of learning the moveSecret Sword, which transforms it into itsResolute form.
Keldeo was tragically separated from its 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.
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