A force of nature, particularly prominent on Equus, and essential for the life and normal activities of many of its creatures. Magic is a very complex phenomenon, but is nonetheless subject to scientific study. The practice of magic, as a useful art, is the usual domain of unicorn ponies in pony society, but other pony types have passive magic of their own.

The art and science of magic have declined since the Golden Age, in which much magical knowledge was lost. Magical scholars today do some original experiments, but they tend to focus on recovering and understanding ancient texts on the subject.

Although unicorns usually have some ability to use magic relating to their special talent without training, those seeking a more generalized magical repertoire or work as professional magicians often attend a school of magecraft. There is a college of magic at Eastern Ponyland University, and a college of Magic and Alchemy at Hayminnow University. The Queen Meridian School for Gifted Unicorns is in New Canterlot; another New Equestrian institute is the Lunar Academy in Luna City. There is an Edge School of Magic, the Trenchtown People’s Magical Academy, and three schools of magic in Docktown. The most prestigious magic school on the Isle of Yore is the Radiance Magic College in Sparkle City, a pre-catastrophic institution that stayed open throughout the Dark Age. There are other less well-known institutions, and apprenticeship to a professional magician is a common means of gaining magical skills, especially for less wealthy unicorns. Worthy of special mention is the Storm Tower on Rumcake Island, which specializes in teaching pegasus magic. The Crooked Tower in the former Yore Valley Barony is an institution of advanced magical study, home to an exclusively graduate-level magical college.

Magic can be used to greatly extend the lifespan of practitioners.