CANNON HALL FARM HEARTBREAK AS THE YORKSHIRE VET TEAM REMEMBERS RUBY AND IRIS AFTER DEVASTATING LOSSES

Behind the heartwarming scenes of giant Shire horses and newborn foals at Cannon Hall Farm, the past few months have brought a devastating series of losses.

The South Yorkshire farm has now opened up about the deaths of Ruby, a much-loved Shire mare, and Iris, one of its young foals, as the team continues to care for the animals that remain.

The emotional story has also featured veterinary professionals from The Yorkshire Vet, with specialist Shire vet Marco playing an important role in the care of the horses.

A HEARTBREAKING FEW MONTHS

Cannon Hall Farm described the recent period as an “incredibly difficult” time for its Shire horses.

On September 20, the farm hosted a special online event, Evening Live with Marco, specifically to look back at what happened to Ruby and Iris.

The event promised to reveal more about the veterinary challenges faced by the team, the huge efforts made to save both animals and the difficult decisions involved when their conditions deteriorated.

For the Nicholson family and the farm staff, these were not simply animals featured in videos or television programmes.

They were horses they had cared for closely and followed through some of the most important stages of their lives.

RUBY’S FINAL DAYS

Ruby had been a familiar face at Cannon Hall Farm and was part of its Shire breeding programme.

Earlier this year, her condition deteriorated dramatically.

Reports from the farm’s own podcast described the situation as an extremely difficult period, with Farmer Rob later reflecting on what happened and the circumstances surrounding Ruby’s death.

The farm’s September event with Marco was intended to give followers a deeper look at the veterinary decisions made during those final days.

The loss was especially painful for the team because of the close relationship they had developed with Ruby over the years.

IRIS’ JOURNEY FROM HOPE TO HEARTBREAK

Iris’ story was particularly emotional because she had already survived serious medical complications earlier in the year.

In June, Cannon Hall Farm celebrated the return home of its five Shire foals after two of them — Iris and Solider — experienced serious complications and required specialist hospital treatment.

At the time, the farm described the youngsters as safely back home and celebrated their return as an important moment for the breeding programme.

But Iris’ recovery ultimately did not last.

Cannon Hall Farm later confirmed that the young Shire had died, turning what had once been a story of survival into another heartbreaking loss.

The farm’s podcast described the week of Iris’ death as one of its hardest weeks of the year.

MARCO WAS THERE THROUGH THE HARDEST MOMENTS

The role of equine vet Marco has become an important part of the story.

He has worked closely with Cannon Hall Farm’s Shire horses, including during some of the most challenging medical situations.

The September 20 special gave viewers an opportunity to hear directly from him about what happened to Ruby and Iris and why some veterinary decisions can become so difficult when an animal’s condition deteriorates.

Rather than focusing only on the sadness, the farm also used the event to discuss the wider challenges of caring for Shire horses and the future of its breeding programme.

A LEGACY THAT CONTINUES

The losses of Ruby and Iris come after another significant blow to the farm’s Shire programme.

In June 2025, Herkules, the farm’s three-year-old Shire stallion, died after suffering from colic.

His death was particularly significant because the farm had hoped to use him in its efforts to help produce future generations of Shire horses.

Despite those losses, Cannon Hall Farm has continued its breeding programme and its work to promote the Shire breed.

The farm still offers visitors the opportunity to meet its Shire horses, while its online content continues to document their progress. Current booking information shows that the Meet the Shires experience remains available.

THERE ARE STILL REASONS TO HOPE

Not every recent update has been heartbreaking.

During the September event, Cannon Hall Farm also highlighted Yorkshire Rose’s success in the show ring, the progress of its other Shire horses and the future of the breeding programme.

That mixture of grief and hope has become central to the farm’s story.

For the Nicholson family, caring for Shire horses means accepting that there will be extraordinary highs as well as devastating lows.

The animals that survive continue to carry the hopes of a breeding programme designed to support one of Britain’s increasingly rare heavy horse breeds.

FANS HAVE FOLLOWED EVERY STEP

Cannon Hall Farm has built a large online following by allowing people to see the reality of life on a working farm.

That has meant fans have witnessed the births of foals, celebrated successful recoveries and, sadly, followed the final chapters of animals they had grown attached to.

For many viewers, Ruby and Iris therefore became familiar characters rather than simply names on a farm.

Their deaths have been felt by the people who cared for them — and by thousands of followers who watched their stories unfold.

THE STORY OF THE SHIRES CONTINUES

There is no easy ending to the story of Ruby and Iris.

Their deaths have left a painful gap at Cannon Hall Farm, particularly after the team invested so much time and effort into trying to save them.

But the farm’s work with the Shires continues.

The surviving horses remain under the care of the team, while the breeding programme looks toward the next generation.

For Rob, Dave, the veterinary team and the many people who have followed the horses’ journeys, the latest chapter is a reminder of the reality behind the cameras.

Sometimes farming brings moments of incredible joy. Sometimes it brings unbearable loss. And sometimes, the only way forward is to remember the animals that were lost while continuing to care for those still in your hands.