Sid Gustafson lives in Bozeman, Montana near his children Connor and Nina where he writes, teaches, and practices his natural approach to equine veterinary medicine up and down the Rocky Mountain Front Range.  Sid was born in Montana, as were his children and parents. He grew up in the shadow of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, and frequently travels to New York, California, and Washington, where he represents the health and welfare of racehorses and practices alternative equine medicine with an emphasis on fulfilling the needs and preferences of horses.  Literary influences include Halldor Laxness, James Willard Schultz, Dan Cushman, Iris Murdoch, Harper Lee, Malcolm Lowry, Alan Sillitoe, and Ken Kesey, as well as the beat writers and Montana novelists. The author is indebted to the writers James Welch, Greg Keeler, Doug Peacock, Andrea Peacock, Neil McMahon, William Hjortsberg, Alan Weltzien, Jim Harrison, Loren MIles, Brad Okerlund, Erik Gustafson, Tess Jacobs, Peter Bowen, David McCumber, Deidre McNamer, Dan Lahren, Bethany Blankenship, and many others for their guidance and support. His next book to be published in 20012 is entitled The Language of Horsemanship, a non-fiction exploration of man's contemporary relationship with the horse. SWIFT DAM, his third novel, awaits publication. Sid is named after his uncles who lost their lives in WWII. Dr Gustafson's grandmother, Florence, was the mother of Captain William Wylie Galt who lost his life in WWII. Captain Galt was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for actions above and beyond the call of duty defending the principles of freedom and welfare. Additionally, Dr Gustafson's paternal namesake uncle, Sid Gustafson, lost his life in Africa under similar heroic WWII circumstances. The two were close friends. The US Army awarded Sid the Silver Star posthumously, the highest commendation the Army awards. The French awarded Sid the Medal of War. Uncle Sid was a superb and sensitive horseman, and his concern for the well-being of horses is remembered and emulated. Pursuing his lifelong horsemanship interests, Dr Gustafson graduated from Washington State University in 1979 with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree to specialize in equine sports medicine. His subsequent interest in the behavioral and physical health challenges that stabling and confinement created for horses led him to the study of equine behavior.
As Equine Studies Program Coordinator for the Natural Horsemanship Program at the University of Montana Western from 2006-2008, Professor Gustafson developed a science-based equine studies curriculum that explored equine behavior and husbandry as it applied to the mental development and training of horses.  Sid currently lives in Bozeman, MT, where in addition to being a veterinarian, he is a novelist. He had the good fortune to be raised by horses in Montana just under the Medicine Line of Alberta, Rocky Mountain Front Range country he rides about horseback with the Blackfoot Indians.  Dr Gustafson developed an early interest in equine behavior through his exposure to Native American horsemanship and his family’s ranching and horse breeding pursuits. Dr Sid remains witness to feral horses in natural settings on a regular basis. He has raised and trained horses all his life, and continues to do so understanding clearly there is much more to know and appreciate about horses.  In addition to equine behavioral consulting and teaching Equine Behavior at EquineGuelph, Dr Gustafson currently is a seasonal regulatory veterinarian for the California Horse Racing Board, where he represents the health and welfare of the racehorses.    

2007 High Plains Novel of the Year
Horses They Rode
2nd novel