Emma Goodman-Milne Q&A

Every Horse Remembered Q&A with Emma Goodman-Milne, TV veterinarian, author and animal welfare campaigner.

Emma Goodman-Milne visiting a donkey with Brooke team

Do you have a memory of a horse that meant a lot to you?

When I was a child I was absolutely horse mad and would have given anything for a horse of my own. For our family at that time this was the most distant dream imaginable and financially impossible. I started helping at a local stable when I was about ten years old in return for occasional rides. I was in heaven. There was a little Arab cross called Folly and to me she was the most beautiful horse I had ever seen. I was allowed to ride her quite often and when we galloped it was like riding the wind. The owner of the stable eventually decided to sell her but offered me first chance to have her on loan if I wanted to keep her. I begged my parents but we simply didn’t have the money. Folly was sold and my heart was broken but I can still feel the sensation of those gallops as if I was still there.

Why do you enjoy riding?

I’ve always thought horses are some of the most beautiful animals on the planet. I simply couldn’t get enough of just being around them. For me, riding was about being connected to an incredible animal and feeling the freedom of it and exhilaration of their speed.

Have horses or riding got you through a difficult time?

Being around horses always made me feel happy. I used to get teased a lot at school about my Dumbo ears so immersing myself in the company of non-judgemental horses always helped. Also I could tuck my ears into my hat and look normal!

“I’m supporting Brooke’s Every Horse Remembered campaign because...

"I found the story of Dorothy Brooke and those poor forgotten horses heart-breaking and wonderful at the same time. Horses make a huge difference to our lives, be they leisure horses or working horses and donkeys. Having seen first-hand the incredible work that Brooke and their tireless teams do I wholeheartedly share their philosophy that every horse should be remembered."