Born in 1910 on a ranch in Enterprise, Oregon, he came into a world where the only way to train a horse was to "break him." Severe bits, spurs, whips and intimidation broke a horse's spirit and made him into an obedient servant to man. Some gave into submission easily, some would fight mercilessly. While the horse was indispensable to life in those days, he was not well understood.
Dorrance credits his small build, having to work horses alone on his parent's ranch and having to deal with seven siblings for teaching him the value of cooperation and how to get things done without a heavy hand. The gentling techniques he developed with horses have revolutionized the way many trainers now handle horses. The result is a partnership between horse and human that is not only more humane, but also brings out the best in the horse.
Dorrance's methods begin with a respect for the horse and an understanding of their natural instincts of flight or fight. He respected the fact that they were a herd animal, and understood the protocol of the herd mentality. He took into consideration that they were a prey animal, not a predator. But most of all he had patience with them. The idea of stroking a horse and gaining his trust and confidence were very radical ideas for his time.
He had patience with his own understanding and skill level as well. His techniques were developed over a lifetime of learning from the horses. He worked on his parent's ranch for thirty years, and then spent another twenty years working with horses on ranches in Oregon, Nevada, Montana and Salinas. In 1960 he married and settled in California where he continued his work and study. Even when he was no longer well enough to go out and work the horses, he would discuss his training methods and re-live the work he had done with various horses.
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