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 emotional few months for its beloved Shire horses, remembering the heartbreaking loss of Ruby and Iris while looking ahead to the future of its rare-breed breeding programme.

The family-run farm in South Yorkshire recently hosted a special evening with equine vet Marco, giving followers an opportunity to hear more about the challenges faced by its Shire herd.

The event, titled “Evening Live with Marco,” took place on September 20 and focused on some of the most difficult moments the farm has experienced with its Shire horses.

According to Cannon Hall Farm, the evening included discussion of the loss of much-loved Shire mare Ruby and foal Iris, as well as the efforts made by the team to save them and the difficult decisions involved in caring for the giant breed.

A HEARTBREAKING FEW MONTHS

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

The farm has built a large following around its Shire breeding programme, with thousands of people following updates about the animals online.

The Shire is one of Britain’s most recognisable heavy horse breeds, but it is also considered increasingly rare.

For the team at Cannon Hall Farm, the recent losses have therefore been particularly difficult.

The farm’s own description of the September event said Marco would discuss the challenges the team had faced, including the loss of Ruby and Iris, and explain the efforts made to try to save them.

The farm did not publicly give a specific cause of death for either animal in the event announcement.

IRIS HAD PREVIOUSLY NEEDED SPECIALIST CARE

Iris was among five Shire foals introduced by Cannon Hall Farm earlier in 2026.

The farm’s online material says Iris and Soldier experienced serious complications and required specialist hospital care before eventually returning to the farm.

A June broadcast from Cannon Hall Farm celebrated the return of the young horses and allowed viewers to hear more about what had happened behind the scenes.

At the time, the farm described the experience as an emotional few months for the team.

Despite those difficulties, the farm continued documenting the progress of its young Shires and sharing updates with its large online audience.

REMEMBERING RUBY AND IRIS

The memories of Ruby and Iris have now become part of the farm’s ongoing Shire programme.

Cannon Hall Farm’s current Shire Foal Experience specifically invites visitors to learn about the journeys of its young horses while also remembering Ruby and Iris.

The experience introduces visitors to the remaining Shire foals — Soldier, Athena, Captain and Major — while sharing the story behind the farm’s efforts to increase the numbers of the rare breed.

The farm says visitors can hear the story of how the foals arrived, watch Soldier during feeding time and visit the paddocks where the Shire horses are kept.

The experience is available to visitors aged eight and above, with sessions continuing through September and October.

THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN BRIGHTER MOMENTS

While the recent losses have cast a shadow over the programme, Cannon Hall Farm stressed that there have also been more positive developments.

During the September event, Marco discussed the progress of the other Shire horses and Yorkshire Rose’s recent success in the show ring.

The farm said the conversation would also look at what lies ahead for its breeding programme.

That combination of grief and hope has become an important part of the farm’s message as it continues its work with the rare breed.

THE YORKSHIRE VET CONNECTION

Cannon Hall Farm is regularly featured on The Yorkshire Vet, the Channel 5 series that follows veterinary cases involving animals and farming families across Yorkshire.

The September 20 podcast event also featured Shona from The Yorkshire Vet in a separate session, while Marco appeared as the specialist Shire vet.

The farm described the podcast event as an opportunity to give followers behind-the-scenes access to how the episodes are made, with farmers Rob and Dave interviewing special guests connected with the programme.

A FUTURE FOR THE SHIRES

Despite the heartbreak surrounding Ruby and Iris, Cannon Hall Farm continues to operate its Shire programme and introduce visitors to the young horses.

The farm says its wider aim is to help grow the numbers of the rare Shire breed, making the future of the remaining animals an important part of its work.

For followers who watched the young horses grow throughout 2026, the losses of Ruby and Iris have been difficult.

But the farm’s latest updates show that their memory remains intertwined with the care of the Shires still at Cannon Hall.

As the remaining foals continue to grow, the team is now looking ahead — while carrying the memory of the two much-loved horses that were lost along the way.