FIM does have a severe lack of masculinity. Young girls who were/are still in their formative years at the time of watching are taught that men are incapable of basically anything at all while in reality men are very capable.

I think the show would have been much better if it portrayed male characters closer to reality, but with emphasis on chivalry and heroism, and taught young girls to expect men to be positively masculine. none of that men-hating derogatory nonsense.

Take for example Big Mac. He was, in my opinion, the closest thing to a "real man" in the entire show, with the obvious exception of the one time he crossdressed. If you discount that, he was more of a man than Shining Armor, altho I'd say Armor was a close 2nd contender for most masculine and manly character in the show.
FIM should've had more stallion characters like Big Mac and Shining Armor.
And yes I do think picrel was a good idea.