What distinguishes a base breed from a color breed?

The distinction between base breeds and color breeds lies in their primary breeding objectives. Base breeds are typically categorized based on their focused effort on specific bloodlines and athletic performance traits. This means that the breeding of these animals is largely directed towards enhancing characteristics such as physical ability, stamina, and overall functionality, which are crucial for various equestrian activities.

In contrast, color breeds primarily emphasize the aesthetic attributes of animals, particularly their coat colors, rather than the competitive performance aspects. While conformation is an important consideration in color breeds, the overarching focus remains on achieving and preserving specific color patterns or traits. Therefore, the recognition of base breeds as being more aligned with functional attributes and pedigree ensures that they are distinguished from color-based selective breeding practices.