Cannon Hall Farm in Barnsley is celebrating the birth of a rare Shire filly foal, a significant event given the breed’s declining numbers and status on the at-risk register. Silver, a Shire mare at the farm, gave birth after a 12-month pregnancy, adding to the critically low population of just 134 filly foals born in the UK last year. Shire horses were once essential to British farming and industry, providing the horsepower before machinery took over, but their numbers have drastically dwindled, threatening the breed’s future.

The farm, a registered breeding center and member of the Shire Horse Society, is dedicated to preserving this historic breed, which has shifted more towards riding horses in recent decades. Farmer Robert Nicholson emphasized the importance of protecting Shire horses for future generations. Cannon Hall Farm is engaging the public by inviting name suggestions for the new filly and sharing updates on social media, highlighting their ongoing commitment to the breed’s conservation.