you might find yourself wondering something like "what if a pony's special talent is something they can't get paid for doing" or "where did the fashionista pony get the startup capital for her dressmaking business".

Or "what the Hell is Fluttershy's business model? Do the animals have money?"

The show mostly sidesteps questions of exploitation by depicting every main character as an artisan with no employees

The "fashionista pony" does have employees, albeit in her Manehattan boutique instead of her studio in Ponyville.

Also, Pinkie Pie is an employee of Mr. and Mrs. Cake.