Sid Gustafson
Novelist and Veterinarian

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.
Veterinary behavior is an important emerging discipline of veterinary medicine. Dr Gustafson promotes socialization, enrichment, and behavioral learning and training principles that address human/​animal relationships from the animal's perspective. Resolution of unwelcome behaviors often involves positive changes for the animal and a restoration of natural preferences and needs.
Appropriate fulfillment activities and positive-reinforcement training, re-training, and teaching can help redirect or eliminate many unwanted behavioral problems in horses and dogs. Dr Gustafson specializes in equitation science, and offers advise on the appropriate development and training of horses.
Humans and animals thrive together when mutual appreciation, communication, and understanding flourish.
The prevention and management of behavior problems requires thoughtful insight into the history of the animal, and an evaluation their relationship with people and other animals. Socialization is a critical component of behavioral development. A behavior consult is best accomplished before behavioral problems develop.
Both new and seasoned pet and horse owners are encouraged to develop a relationship with a veterinary behaviorist to help their companion grow, learn, and develop in a fashion beneficial to both.

PREVENTION is key to behavioral health. Adequate SOCIALIZATION of young animals both with their species and with humans is essential for wholesome psychological health and mental development. Appropriate training that appreciates the nature of the dog, cat, and horse is a veterinary behavior essential, as well.