Centaurs · 2:08pm Feb 24th, 2013
Here's a puzzler for all those interested in Equestrian fauna (and those who fall into the "Lyra-is-obsessed-with-humans" crowd might want to take notes, too).
As we all know, the land of Equestria is a host to many mythical creatures (and no, I'm not talking about the pegasi and unicorns). There are dragons, phoenixes, griffons, minotaurs, and many more besides that live in this land of ponies.
Now, I have seen (and written) stories that use other mythical creatures that have not appeared in the show, such as wyverns and the Chimera. However, there is one creature that I think most authors would have difficulty writing in an Equestrian setting. In case you didn't read the title of this post, I'm talking, of course, about centaurs.
By definition, a centaur is a horse from the waist down and a human from the waist up. And therein lies the problem. Humans don't exist in Equestria (typically), so how would a pony describe a centaur unless they were Lyra Heartstrings (or the common fan interpretation of her, at least)? A manticore is easy to get away with; just make him more creature than human (for those who don't know, a manticore is described as having the face of a man). The same goes for a sphinx if an author is so inclined to include one. Ditto for a satyr if we are to ignore some of the more adult themes of that particular creature (probably why we haven't seen one of those in the show). But you can't really make a centaur more creature than human, because then it would just be another pony, wouldn't it?
So, here's my conundrum to all those who are interested. Could a centaur exist in Equestria? And if so, what would it look like?
I mean... a minotaur is half man and half bull, so if Iron Will can exist in Equestria, I don't see why centaurs couldn't.
well you see, centares might not excist on the contonet of ecustria but on others they sould. so yes. and a sentare uses a bow so this will be fun. i like my zodiac
it would looks like human ceneped. horses don't excist ither (i thing they don't.) so have the body of a horse and the head of a pony. problem solved
861171 While that's true, Iron Will's design is clearly more bull than it is human. Same thing with the manticore, as I mentioned above. You, really can't do the same kind of tweaking with a centaur. Or maybe you can, I don't know.
861301 That, makes no sense. A pony is a breed of horse. The body of the horse and the head of a pony would just be, well, another pony.
861481 no it would be a large earth pony and such.
but ok, i thouhg ponies were just 3 foot tall horses so make it a large pony. 
i really could care less i haven't read a lot latly 
Well, humans have been shown to be part of Equestria. It doesn't mean they aren't there, the show just hasn't used them in any capacity. Centaurs and humans could certainly exist in that 'waiting in the wings' place that Iron Will occupied before Putting Your Hoof Down aired.
Your point about Iron Will being more like a slightly humanized bull rather than a half bull/half man is well taken, though. I'm not sure how a centaur would look. The ponies have a kind of humanoid face, so I would image that it would have a pony body, an Iron Will-like torso and then a pony-ish face.
867758 Hmm. I suppose that design could work. It would be a little strange to look at, but it's certainly possible.
I'm not going to comment on the "Do humans exist in Equestria?" conundrum. That's more Lyra's domain.
867796 Err... I meant humans haven't been shown to be part of Equestria. One day I will actually proofread something.
867865 Aww, but it's so much more amusing that way
I personally agree with the idea they;d look much like Iron Will and a pony had a lovechild
One of my favourite (and to me) really new idea about centaurs was the one exposed in Gail Carson-Levine's "Ella Enchanted" Which was apparently made in a lackluster film. In her universe the centaurs were dumb as in mute but also of limited intelligence. Their eyes were more closer to horse's in terms of pupil and intelligence expressed. I sort of think that could be an interesting idea.
Easy compare them to something ape-like, which is the closest thing they would have to humans.