CANNON HALL FARM REMEMBERS RUBY AND IRIS AS YORKSHIRE VET TEAM OPENS UP ABOUT SHIRE HORSE HEARTBREAK

Cannon Hall Farm has opened up about an incredibly difficult period for its Shire horses, remembering much-loved mare Ruby and foal Iris while looking ahead to the future of its rare-breed breeding programme.

The Yorkshire farm, which is regularly featured on Channel 5’s The Yorkshire Vet, recently held a special online event with equine vet Marco to discuss the challenges faced by its Shire team over the past few months.

The event, held on September 20, gave viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the veterinary care provided to the horses and the difficult decisions involved in trying to protect the animals.

Farm owners and staff also remembered Ruby and Iris, whose losses have left a lasting mark on the team.

A DIFFICULT FEW MONTHS FOR THE SHIRES

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

The farm’s special event focused on the medical challenges faced by the animals, the efforts made by the veterinary team and some of the hardest decisions that had to be made during their care.

The farm has not publicly provided a single detailed explanation of what happened to Ruby and Iris in its event announcement. Instead, it focused on remembering the animals and explaining the wider challenges involved in caring for and breeding Shire horses.

That distinction is important because the farm has not confirmed every detail surrounding their individual deaths.

What it has made clear is that both animals were deeply loved by the team and that their loss has become part of the story of the farm’s ongoing work with the increasingly rare breed.

IRIS HAD PREVIOUSLY FACED SERIOUS COMPLICATIONS

Iris had already been at the centre of concern earlier in 2026.

Cannon Hall Farm previously shared an update about its five Shire foals — Soldier, Iris, Athena, Captain and Major — revealing that Iris and Soldier had experienced serious complications and required specialist hospital care.

The farm later announced that both youngsters had returned safely home.

The emotional journey was documented through the farm’s online broadcasts, allowing followers to see updates from farmers Rob and Dave and learn more about the efforts being made to care for the young horses.

The farm continues to offer a special Shire Foal Experience, where visitors can learn about the young horses, hear their stories and see the animals in person.

The experience now specifically includes an opportunity to remember Ruby and Iris, while also meeting the remaining Shire foals.

THE YORKSHIRE VET CONNECTION

Cannon Hall Farm has become a familiar location for viewers of The Yorkshire Vet, with the farm describing itself as a regular location for the Channel 5 series.

The September 20 event featured two special podcast sessions connected with the programme.

One session featured Shona from The Yorkshire Vet, while the afternoon session focused on Marco, the specialist Shire vet who has worked alongside the farm team.

The event allowed viewers to hear directly about the veterinary side of caring for these enormous animals, while also reflecting on the emotional impact of losing members of the herd.

A BREED THE FARM IS DETERMINED TO PROTECT

Despite the heartbreak, Cannon Hall Farm says its work with Shire horses is continuing.

The farm is a Shire Horse Society registered centre and has developed a breeding programme aimed at helping preserve the rare breed.

Its current Shire Foal Experience features the youngsters Soldier, Athena, Captain and Major, while visitors can also learn about the farm’s wider Shire herd.

The programme is not simply about raising individual horses. The farm says its wider goal is to help grow the numbers of a breed that has become increasingly rare.

The farm has also highlighted brighter moments following the difficult months, including Yorkshire Rose’s recent success in the show ring and the progress of the remaining Shires.

“TRIUMPH AND TRAGEDY”

For Cannon Hall Farm, the story of its Shire horses has involved both extraordinary highs and painful losses.

The farm says thousands of people around the world have followed the journeys of its Shire foals through its videos and social-media updates.

That connection has grown as followers watched the young horses receive specialist treatment, return home and continue growing.

Now, with Ruby and Iris remembered as part of that journey, the farm is attempting to move forward while continuing its breeding work.

The latest event with Marco was presented not simply as a story of loss, but as an opportunity to explain what happens behind the scenes when large animals require intensive veterinary care — and why difficult decisions sometimes have to be made.

THE STORY CONTINUES

Cannon Hall Farm’s Shire programme is continuing despite the setbacks.

The farm is still offering visitors the chance to meet its Shires and young foals, while new online content continues to document life on the farm.

For those who have followed Ruby and Iris from afar, however, their absence is now part of the story.

The farm’s message is ultimately one of remembrance and hope: the losses have been deeply felt, but the work to protect and preserve the Shire horse continues.

And as the remaining foals grow, Cannon Hall Farm is inviting its followers to continue watching their journeys — carrying the memory of Ruby and Iris with them along the way.