Brothers and horsemen William "Bill" Dorrance (January 19, 1906 – July 20, 1999) and Tom Dorrance (May 11, 1910 – June 11, 2003) are considered among the founders of the modern natural horsemanship movement. Born and raised on an Oregon cattle ranch with a background in the Great Basin "Buckaroo" tradition, they promoted natural, gentle methods of horse training, emphasizing "feel" of the horse and observation of its responses to the handler.
They had a particularly strong influence on fellow horseman Ray Hunt and Hunt's disciple, Buck Brannaman, as well as Arabian horse breeder and trainer Sheila Varian. Many horse trainers and owners claim influence from the Dorrance brothers including Pat Parelli, famous for his video series of games to play through groundwork.
The Dorrance brothers' influence travelled widely throughout the United States, particularly amongst cattlemen, cowboys, who worked with horses every day. Having a relationship to their horses was far more important than winning awards or accolades in the show ring, and so horsemanship, the relationship between equine and human, was more important than the colour of their ribbon. The writings of the Dorrance brothers, in terms of horsemanship, is not divergent from those of other great horsemen such as Nuno Oliveira or François Robichon de La Guérinière.
It has often been said that the Dorrances could see what a horse was thinking before the horse even thought it. Tom Dorrance has frequently been quoted as positing his question "what happened, before what happened happened?". Bill Dorrance, aside from his horsemanship skills was renowned as a rawhide braider and roper. Martin Black, a world famous horseman and clinician, often cites his experiences with Tom Dorrance and his regrets at not having studied more carefully while under Tom's tutelage. Martin can be seen featured in the video "Through the Coral Fence".
When people think of natural horsemanship that could mean a lot of things. It isn't natural for a horse to be around people, and it's not natural for a person to be sitting on him either. When we use these words we speak about what's natural for the horse to do within his own boundaries.
Bill Dorrance, True Horsemanship Through Feel
The thing you are trying to help the horse do is to use his own mind. You are trying to present something and then let him figure out how to get there.
Tom Dorrance, True Unity: Willing Communication Between Horse and Human
True Unity: Willing Communication Between Horse and Human at Amazon.com
Sourcesedit
True Horsemanship Through Feel by Bill Dorrance and Leslie Desmond. ISBN1-59921-056-8
True Unity, by Tom Dorrance. First Edition, Word Dancer Press, 1987. ISBN1-884995-09-8
The Revolution In Horsemanship by Dr Robert Miller et al. ISBN1-59228-387-X
Death of a Legendary Horseman, Bill Dorrance obituary, New York Times, July 24, 1999
December 15, 2023
bill, dorrance, brothers, horsemen, william, bill, dorrance, january, 1906, july, 1999, dorrance, 1910, june, 2003, considered, among, founders, modern, natural, horsemanship, movement, born, raised, oregon, cattle, ranch, with, background, great, basin, bucka. Brothers and horsemen William Bill Dorrance January 19 1906 July 20 1999 and Tom Dorrance May 11 1910 June 11 2003 are considered among the founders of the modern natural horsemanship movement Born and raised on an Oregon cattle ranch with a background in the Great Basin Buckaroo tradition they promoted natural gentle methods of horse training emphasizing feel of the horse and observation of its responses to the handler They had a particularly strong influence on fellow horseman Ray Hunt and Hunt s disciple Buck Brannaman as well as Arabian horse breeder and trainer Sheila Varian Many horse trainers and owners claim influence from the Dorrance brothers including Pat Parelli famous for his video series of games to play through groundwork The Dorrance brothers influence travelled widely throughout the United States particularly amongst cattlemen cowboys who worked with horses every day Having a relationship to their horses was far more important than winning awards or accolades in the show ring and so horsemanship the relationship between equine and human was more important than the colour of their ribbon The writings of the Dorrance brothers in terms of horsemanship is not divergent from those of other great horsemen such as Nuno Oliveira or Francois Robichon de La Gueriniere It has often been said that the Dorrances could see what a horse was thinking before the horse even thought it Tom Dorrance has frequently been quoted as positing his question what happened before what happened happened Bill Dorrance aside from his horsemanship skills was renowned as a rawhide braider and roper Martin Black a world famous horseman and clinician often cites his experiences with Tom Dorrance and his regrets at not having studied more carefully while under Tom s tutelage Martin can be seen featured in the video Through the Coral Fence When people think of natural horsemanship that could mean a lot of things It isn t natural for a horse to be around people and it s not natural for a person to be sitting on him either When we use these words we speak about what s natural for the horse to do within his own boundaries Bill Dorrance True Horsemanship Through Feel The thing you are trying to help the horse do is to use his own mind You are trying to present something and then let him figure out how to get there Tom Dorrance True Unity Willing Communication Between Horse and HumanSee also editHorse whisperer Horse training Horse behaviorExternal links editBill Dorrance Bill Dorrance website True Unity Through Feel at Amazon com Bill Dorrance Legacy ProjectTom Dorrance Tom Dorrance website True Unity Willing Communication Between Horse and Human at Amazon comSources editTrue Horsemanship Through Feel by Bill Dorrance and Leslie Desmond ISBN 1 59921 056 8 True Unity by Tom Dorrance First Edition Word Dancer Press 1987 ISBN 1 884995 09 8 The Revolution In Horsemanship by Dr Robert Miller et al ISBN 1 59228 387 X Death of a Legendary Horseman Bill Dorrance obituary New York Times July 24 1999 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Tom and Bill Dorrance amp oldid 1139452308, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
