CANNON HALL FARM FACES HEARTBREAKING MONTHS AS SHIRE HORSES AND FARMER RUTH’S FAMILY ENDURE LOSS

Behind the cheerful farm videos and familiar faces of Springtime on the Farm and The Yorkshire Vet, Cannon Hall Farm has been going through one of its most difficult periods.

The South Yorkshire farm has faced a series of heartbreaking losses involving its much-loved Shire horses, while Farmer Ruth and her family are also dealing with devastating news after her husband, Dave, was diagnosed with stage 4 terminal cancer.

For a farming community that regularly shares the highs and lows of life with its animals, the past year has brought an unusually painful series of moments.

FARMER ROB BREAKS DOWN OVER RUBY

In July 2026, Farmer Rob became visibly emotional after revealing that Ruby, one of the farm’s much-loved horses, had reached the end of her life.

Ruby had deteriorated to the point where she was struggling to walk on three legs.

After consulting the farm’s equine vet, Marco, Rob said he could not continue keeping Ruby alive while she was suffering.

He explained that he trusted Marco’s professional judgment and made the decision to have Ruby put to sleep.

The emotional moment was later highlighted in coverage of Springtime on the Farm, showing just how difficult the decision was for the family.

RUBY WAS NOT THE FIRST HEARTBREAK

The loss of Ruby came after other devastating deaths among the farm’s Shire horses.

In February 2022, Cannon Hall Farm announced the death of Lottie, a giant 19-hand Shire horse described by the farm as a much-loved member of the family.

Then, in June 2025, the farm lost Herkules, a three-year-old Shire stallion who had struggled to recover from colic.

The loss of the young stallion was another particularly painful moment for the Nicholson family and the team caring for the animals.

FIVE YOUNG SHIRES OFFER A GLIMMER OF HOPE

Despite those losses, the farm’s work to preserve the rare Shire breed continues.

Cannon Hall Farm currently has five Shire foals — Soldier, Iris, Athena, Captain and Major.

Their journey has not been easy either.

The farm has revealed that two of the youngsters, Iris and Soldier, suffered serious complications and required specialist hospital treatment before eventually returning home.

The farm later shared their recovery with followers in an emotional online broadcast.

The farm now describes the five foals as part of its continuing efforts to help grow the numbers of the rare Shire breed.

Visitors can also meet the youngsters through the farm’s Shire Foal Experience, where the team shares the stories behind their difficult start in life.

FARMER RUTH FACES A DEVASTATING FAMILY BATTLE

Away from the animals, another deeply personal crisis has affected the Cannon Hall Farm family.

Farmer Ruth’s husband, Dave, has been diagnosed with stage 4 terminal cancer.

According to Cannon Hall Farm, Dave is undergoing intensive treatment, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

The news was shared publicly as supporters rallied around Ruth, Dave and their two sons.

A fundraiser was also established to help ease some of the pressures facing the family and allow them to focus on spending time together.

Ruth later thanked supporters for their messages and donations following the announcement.

THE FARM LOOKS BACK ON A DIFFICULT PERIOD

The emotional toll of the recent losses was also reflected in a special event held at Cannon Hall Farm on September 20.

The farm hosted an evening with equine vet Marco, allowing supporters to hear more about the challenges faced by the Shire horses.

Cannon Hall Farm described the period as an “incredibly difficult few months” for its Shires.

The event also gave followers an opportunity to remember the animals that had been lost while learning more about the care required to protect the remaining horses.

LIFE AT CANNON HALL FARM CONTINUES

Despite the grief, the farm continues to move forward.

The five young Shire foals remain part of the farm’s breeding and conservation work, while Rob, Dave, Ruth and the wider team continue sharing everyday life with their animals.

The farm’s latest updates show a very different side of life behind the television cameras.

There are joyful moments, new arrivals and successful recoveries — but there are also difficult veterinary decisions, the loss of much-loved animals and painful personal struggles.

For the thousands of people who have followed Cannon Hall Farm over the years, those stories have made the animals and the people caring for them feel like part of a much larger family.

And through one of the farm’s hardest chapters, the support of that community has continued to grow.