Here's the breakdown:
* 1980s: The original My Little Pony line of toys was launched by Hasbro in 1983. These were the classic ponies with the colorful hair and symbols.
* 2010s: The "Friendship is Magic" line of toys was launched in 2010, as a reboot of the franchise.
* 2010: The animated television series, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, premiered on October 10, 2010, as a tie-in to the new toy line.
So, the toys were already in development and released before the show premiered.