Why are ponies the dominant species?

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 41,935]

One word: Magic. The ponies can harness magic unlike any other species that we have seen. On top of this. the ponies know friendship better than anyone and in Equestria, friendship is the most powerful magic out of all of them. That makes them pretty formidable. 

[Ianpiersonjdavis 513]

There are a few good reasons why I think other species would reasonably hesitate to go up against them;

 

-Leaders are seemingly physical goddesses who have lived for over a thousand years, can control the sun and the moon, and manipulate the day-to-night cycle. 

 

-Pegasi can manipulate the weather at will-thunder storms, blizzards, tornadoes, and hurricanes.

 

-They had the Elements of Harmony prior to Season 4 which allowed their rulers to overthrow a tyrannical god of chaos and even without them, they've gained two new Alicorn princesses with significant magical ability.

Edited November 14, 2015 by Ianpiersonjdavis