“FAREWELL, OUR BEAUTIFUL GIRL” — CANNON HALL FARM’S HEARTBREAKING GOODBYES TO BELOVED SHIRE HORSE RUBY AND FOAL IRIS
“FAREWELL, OUR BEAUTIFUL GIRL” — CANNON HALL FARM’S HEARTBREAKING GOODBYES TO BELOVED SHIRE HORSE RUBY AND FOAL IRIS
The Yorkshire farm has reflected on an incredibly difficult period for its Shire horses, remembering two much-loved animals whose stories touched the hearts of staff and followers around the world.
For the team at Cannon Hall Farm, some animals become far more than familiar faces. They become part of everyday life — cared for, watched over and loved by the people who know them best.
That is why the losses of Ruby, a much-loved Shire mare, and Iris, a beautiful young foal, have been so painful for the farm community.
In September 2026, Cannon Hall Farm announced a special online event with its equine vet, Marco, to reflect on the difficult months the team had endured. The event was dedicated to remembering Ruby and Iris, discussing the efforts made to save them and explaining some of the difficult decisions involved in caring for these magnificent horses.
RUBY — A HEARTBREAKING GOODBYE
Ruby was a treasured member of Cannon Hall Farm’s Shire horse family.
When an animal becomes part of a close-knit team, caring for them involves far more than daily routines. Staff watch their personalities develop, celebrate their good days and work tirelessly when their health begins to deteriorate.
The farm’s official event description confirmed that Ruby’s loss was among the most difficult experiences the team had faced during this period.
Her story also highlights the painful reality of veterinary care: even when people devote enormous effort and seek professional advice, there are times when the outcome is not the one they desperately hoped for.
For those who cared for Ruby, saying goodbye meant losing an animal who had become part of their lives.
IRIS — A YOUNG FOAL WHOSE JOURNEY TOUCHED HEARTS
Iris’s story brought another wave of sadness to the farm.
Earlier in 2026, Cannon Hall Farm shared news that two of its Shire foals, Iris and Soldier, had experienced serious complications and required specialist hospital care.
Both eventually returned to the farm, bringing relief and hope to the people who had followed their progress.
The farm celebrated their return in an online broadcast in June, giving viewers an update on all five of its Shire foals.
But Iris’s later loss made the journey especially difficult for those who had hoped to watch her grow.
Her story is a reminder that caring for young animals can bring moments of extraordinary joy alongside uncertainty and heartbreak.
THE PEOPLE WHO NEVER STOPPED TRYING
Behind every update about an animal’s health is a team making difficult decisions.
Cannon Hall Farm’s September event brought its equine vet, Marco, into the conversation to discuss the challenges the team had faced, the efforts made to save Ruby and Iris, and the realities of treating seriously unwell horses.
The farm also wanted to share more hopeful news, including Yorkshire Rose’s success in the show ring and the progress of its other Shire horses.
That balance matters. The team’s story is not only about loss, but also about continuing to care for the animals who remain and working to support the future of an increasingly rare breed.
THEIR STORIES WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN
For the people who worked with Ruby and Iris, their memories remain part of the farm’s story.
And for the many followers who have watched Cannon Hall Farm’s animals through videos and updates, their journeys have offered a glimpse into the bonds that can form between people and animals.
The farm’s tribute shows that animal care is not always a story with a happy ending. Sometimes, despite every effort, the people who care deeply must face the hardest kind of goodbye.
Ruby and Iris may no longer be at Cannon Hall Farm, but their stories remain a part of the memories shared by the people who cared for them.
Rest peacefully, Ruby and Iris. You were cherished by the people who knew you, and your stories will not be forgotten.
Please leave a kind message for the team at Cannon Hall Farm and everyone who helped care for these beautiful horses.
Sources
