Bright Mac and Pear Butter

Applejack's parents are the married pony parents of Applejack, Apple Bloom, and Big McIntosh. They physically appear in the season seven episode The Perfect Pear, and they are alluded to in other episodes and media.

Development
In December 2011, Lauren Faust mentioned that the whereabouts of Applejack's parents has not been planned and that the show was unlikely to mention that they've passed away. Faust stated that while she wanted it to be the case, she "didn't think they would allow it." At the 2016 Middle Equestrian Convention in Poland, My Little Pony character designer Kora Kosicka stated in response to a fan question that Applejack's parents are dead.

When asked on Twitter about his "Favorite mom of the Mane 6" in late May 2017, Jim Miller replied "AJ's."

Depiction in the series
In the season three episode Apple Family Reunion, a pair of shooting stars appears twice flying through the sky over Sweet Apple Acres. According to then-storyboard artist Sabrina Alberghetti, the shooting stars are meant to represent Applejack's parents.

In the season five episode Crusaders of the Lost Mark, Applejack tells Apple Bloom after she receives her cutie mark, "If Mom and Dad were here, they'd be so proud of ya."

In The Perfect Pear, Applejack's parents' love story is detailed.

Chapter books
In Applejack and the Honest-to-Goodness Switcheroo, Applejack's mother is mentioned, though not by name, when Granny Smith gives Applejack a notebook that used to belong to Applejack's mother.