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TRUE UNITY (Tom's Song)
Check out the newly remastered song HERE in the JSR store.
A tribute to Tom Dorrance: by John Saint Ryan
‘Inspiration is hard to find, when your heroes are discreet’
A JOURNEY WITH TOM
Introduction
When we hear of someone who has made a great contribution to a particular field, their recognition is often tied to winning—medals, trophies, or certificates. But winning implies competition, and competition often brings conflict and turmoil. These notions stand in stark contrast to the profound contribution Tom Dorrance has made to the relationship between horses and humans.
Born in 1910, Tom grew up in the remote northeast corner of Oregon, fifty miles from the nearest town. For over fifty years, his life was shaped by farming and ranch work. As Tom once said:
"I never did consider myself a horse trainer and I still don’t. I just grew up with cattle and horses. I spent a lot of time alone with them, and when I was alone, that was when I learned a lot of things. If I made a mistake, there wasn’t somebody to clean up after me. It was important that I get the job done."
Tom’s Philosophy and Its Impact
This principle extends seamlessly into Tom's work with people. At first glance, it might seem he had little interest in promoting his ideas to future generations of horse enthusiasts. However, that interpretation oversimplifies his approach. In our goal-oriented society, we often lose sight of the broader perspective.
Tom’s own words reveal his humility and unique way of life:
"I’m just living. If anybody gets any good out of it, that’s great. I don’t want to force it on others. I don’t work with a horse that way, and I don’t work with people that way."
To Tom, the relationship between humans and horses is about unity, not control. Horses have been many things to humans—warriors, farm workers, and mythological symbols. Despite our frequent ignorance of their true potential, Tom saw the possibility of what he called True Unity:
"It’s so simple, it’s difficult."
This simplicity, however, is rich with subtleties. As Tom observed:
"It seems like people expect the horse to know what they ask it to do, while the horse has no idea what is being asked. They expect the horse to already know."
Tom emphasizes three foundational elements—Feel, Timing, and Balance. These are deceptively simple concepts that reveal endless depth and complexity.
A Personal Reflection on the Journey
At this point, the reader might wonder: Then why bother? The answer lies within all of us. While not everyone is driven to dig deeply into the nuances of horsemanship, those who are can find unparalleled rewards.
Personally, my own journey shifted after encountering Tom’s work. For 23 years, I taught martial arts. Movies and TV often reduce martial arts to mere combat, focusing on defeating opponents and collecting trophies. This commercialized perspective undermines its true essence. In Eastern philosophy, a Way refers to a holistic approach to living, not a rigid method for achieving goals.
Martial arts, like horsemanship, can easily become diluted into rigid systems. But Tom’s Way—adaptive and intuitive—resists simplification. As he puts it:
"Adjust to fit the situation, which best fits the occasion."
Tom’s Teaching Style
Tom’s teaching is not about formulas or step-by-step guides. As he often says:
"It seems like most people working with horses are working from the person to the horse. I start with the horse and try to figure out where he is. The horse tells me where he is, and then I try to figure out how to present myself to the horse in a way that’s understandable to the horse."
What Tom shows us cannot be neatly packaged. If he were a chef, you’d never find his exact recipe—only his unmistakable magic. Instead of answers, he provides opportunities for students to search within themselves.
"Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime."
The Legacy of True Unity
Tom’s philosophy extends beyond horses—it’s a way of life. His book, True Unity, and what video there is, offer invaluable insights, though they take time and reflection to fully grasp. Some have tried to simplify his teachings into a more “understandable” format, but in doing so, they lose the subtleties that make his work extraordinary.
"You’ve got more than you started with, and that’s good.”
As Tom would say:
"A horse should be learning something new all the time. You can’t get it all. It’s an ongoing learning experience, an art or science; I prefer to call it an art. It all has to come from within."
Final Reflection
Tom Dorrance’s work is not about reaching a final goal but about embracing the journey. His ability to know when to quit and move on remains one of his most remarkable traits. His understanding of timing—of giving the horse a moment to absorb a lesson—has taught me more than any formal instruction ever could.
As I reflect on his influence, I think back to a parting gift from a friend: a book inscribed with the words, "Inspiration is hard to find when your heroes are discreet."
Tom’s Way is quiet, profound, and transformative. For those willing to dig in and search, the rewards are immeasurable. In the words of an old Chinese proverb:
"When you drink of the spring, be thankful for the source."
Thank you, Tom.
Tom Dorrance and John Saint Ryan talking in the golf cart.