Last night’s livestream for the HAY Campaign on our Instagram page brought together four voices united by their love for the equine industry and their commitment to shining a light on mental health. Myself, Shane McCarthy, was joined by my co-founder of the HAY Campaign Shane Rooney, along with special guests Brendan Murphy and John Fitzgerald. What unfolded wasn’t a rallying cry or a grand gesture, but something just as powerful—a genuine and open conversation about the realities of life in an industry we all cherish.

John Fitzgerald opened with a poignant reminder: “Don’t ever underestimate the chat, because you never know who’s struggling. How many times have you heard someone say, ‘I wish I’d known,’ after it’s too late? We need to be more aware of the signals, the signs… even if we don’t always know what they are.” His words underscored the importance of paying attention to one another, even in the busiest of lives.

The equestrian world isn’t one for the faint-hearted. Brendan Murphy described a side of the industry that’s often hidden: “I believe the majority of people in the equine industry have functioning depression. They’ll get up in the morning, get the job done, but inside they’re numb. It’s an endless cycle—work, eat, sleep, repeat. It’s the function of someone just about holding it together.”

John echoed this, highlighting the gruelling schedules of smaller trainers: “Seven days a week, eighteen-hour days. Holidays? That’s when the horses are out in the field for the summer. That’s it.” It’s a way of life, yes, but it’s also a life that can take its toll.

And then there’s the pressure of public perception, as Brendan explained: “You need to be tough to be seen as competent. Jockeys can’t show weakness when they’re making split-second decisions on the track. Trainers need to look like they’ve got it all under control, or owners won’t send them horses. You hide your struggles because you’re afraid it’ll cost you your reputation, your career.”

Despite these challenges, ideas emerged for how we can move forward. Shane Rooney shared a vision: “What if we had something like a Men’s Shed for the equine industry? Imagine groups in Cork, Kildare, Galway—breeders, trainers, jockeys coming together to talk about their lives, their struggles. It could be a space where someone might feel comfortable enough to say, ‘I’m not great myself… how do I get from A to B when it comes to mental well-being?’”

It’s an idea that could make a real difference, creating a sense of community in an industry that can sometimes feel isolating.

Shane Rooney also spoke about his own journey into the equine world, after losing a close friend to in 2019. “By sheer luck, I bought a mare—just for company, really. I’d go out into the field and talk to her. That’s how I fell in love with the equine industry. The support I got from the racing community was incredible. Back then, I couldn’t understand how anyone in this industry could struggle with mental health, but now I see how tough it is on so many people.”

The HAY Campaign is not about quick fixes or grand solutions. It’s about conversations like this—real, unfiltered, and honest. Last night, we weren’t just talking about mental health; we were living it, showing how sharing our stories can connect us in ways that truly matter.

This is what the equine world needs more of: spaces where people can come together, support each other, and remind one another that they’re not alone.

Because, as John said, you never know who’s struggling.

Until Next Time,
Shane