Happytails Ponies - A UK Mirage
The Happytails ponies were part of the line in North America in
1988. What happened in other places is a bit more murky. They are
not included on my list from Hasbro for ponies on sale here in
1988 (but then, nor are the Summer Wing ponies, nor the Magic Message
Ponies, but both were sold here, and promoted here, and we have
good papertrail evidence of this). They are not on any of the UK
inserts, either, however, and as a child, honestly, I did not know
they existed.
With that said, enough have turned up second hand in the UK to
suggest that they were sold here, at least in some format. I found
Tossles, Squeezer and lavender Woosie at my local carboot sale in
the late 1990s.
The most likely answer is that they were one of Woolworths'
'exclusives'. Between 1989 and 1991 (perhaps longer, but we have
not yet confirmed it), Woolworths had a bunch of sets they sold in
their stores as 'exclusives'. These were imports from America, in
American boxes, and were probably end of line in the US and sent
here for clearance purposes. Sets like the Brush & Grows
and Candy
Canes were definitely sold through this format, as well as
being sold in UK style packaging. There is no equivalent UK
packaging for the Happytails, as they weren't officially on the
release list - but they seem to have snuck in here all the same.
The boxes are marked with Hasbro UK's information, although this
is also not decisive (sometimes Hasbro put this on boxes for sets
that never made it here).
Hasbro UK Distribution information, Happytails box
I think it more likely they arrived in the UK around 1989, if this
was their method of sale. But...because I cannot be sure on
dates...I have decided to leave them in their US release year,
because that at least is concrete. It is equally as possible that
they were sold somewhere in Europe and snuck over that way. We
really just don't know.
The set comprised six ponies, each of which had a solid colour
body and a single colour in the mane/tail. They were made from
very soft plastic, and had a 'mechanism' of sorts which meant that
when squeezed around the withers, the tail twitched or spun
around.
Happytails Pony Mechanism
Tossles Mint in Box
North America, 1988
The ponies in this set came with a brush/comb,
ribbon, pick with a false lock of hair, and an animal themed
tail ring which clipped around the top of the tail. Some also
came with Mummy Charms - more about them on this
page.
Accessories from Tossles
(Plus Mummy Charm "True Blue")
This set have odd and borderline concerning names. I don't know
why a pony should be called Woosie, or what she's been up to.
Maybe we shouldn't ask.
Speaking of Woosie, there was one notable set variation in this
release, which was a lavender version of Woosie (rather than
aqua). The rationale behind her existence is not clear, but she
is definitely NOT a UK or European variation - most
lavender Woosies are found in North America.
There are also numerous end-of-line Frankenpony versions of
Happytails, or Happytails crossed with Princess Ponies. You can
see some examples of these on the variant page, and also in PinkKittyWinks'
Arena Gallery.
