Except Zebra Magic works on belief and knowledge. It is not something you’re born with, but something of culture. Zebras who were adopted by ponies at a very young age would not be able to do Zebra Magic, but ponies who grew around zebras could. If you want to be apprenticed, you need to be pretty young. You need an initiation in a mystical spring, and to live among zebras for a lot of time.
 
If Applejack wanted to learn zebra magic, she should have done an initiation pilgrimage a few years before the flashbacks from Cutie Mark Cronicles. That’s because now she grew up and estabilished herself in a completely different culture. (Applebloom propably could, though…)

@Dylanius  
Meh, your call.
 
It probably took longer to find that GIF, unless you have it on standby.

@D  

@Dylanius  
It’s been outright stated in the show that each pony tribe has their own magic coming from within. Earth ponies have magic that affects the earth and growing things. Unicorns have what equates to, wizard magic and pegasi can not only fly, sometimes at super speeds, but manipulate the weather, everyone else just passes through clouds.

@Background Pony  
who said Pegasi have magic? all they do is fly and manipulate weather.

@Lium  
You do know that Twilight is still entirely mortal right, all she’s gained is pegasus magic which she still doesn’t know how to use. Sorry if this seems rude

Zecora being able to do magic is very much a part of my headcanon and the rhyme is awesome!

@Osquade  
Headcanon accepted.

@anonymouspegasus  
hell, the greatest technology in the galaxy couldn’t synthesize tea at all! what chance do you think twilight has!?(it was funnier in the book btw)

turns out zecora and granny smith knew eachother when they were kids, and zecora’s just the one that opted to continue using the immortality potion.

I’ll tell you once, the poison joke? That ain’t the best shit to smoke.

@Lium  
But can Twilight brew a cup of tea by waving her hoof over it?  

Zecora knows the first rule of magic:
 
Be the smartest person in the room.

Zebra magic is estimated by its ranking system based on the number of gold rings that one has around its body.
 
Human equivalent for Military Ranking System. The more the rings the Higher the Rank in Zebra magic.

@Lium  
Even without her commoner sidekicks.

It’s funny because Twilight is actually a goddess now and could destroy Zecora utterly.

“But I’m a year older than you.”
 
“Yet you I can still best, you little pest.

I’m stating to think Zacora and Yoda may be friends of some kind.

Ah, Zecora. Not even an actual pony, yet more badass and knows more magic than the average unicorn.

But Zecora, your magic is based around herbs. They’re completely different, you can’t compare the two kinds.