Now, he can look his mates in the eye again.
The Hurricanes cut the experience rake loose at the end of the 2011 season after 10-years service. Hore is a little resentful he was not able to leave on his own terms. But he has signed a one-year deal with the Highlanders and is much closer to his beloved Maniototo, where he owns a farm.
"It has all worked out pretty well," Hore said through a face bristling with whiskers.
"I have made a lot of good friends up there ... but there are no real regrets coming back here. Being a Highlander is something special and all my mates are Highlander supporters.
"I guess it sunk in when I realised I could just get in the car and drive to work, rather than say goodbye to everyone, fill the suitcase up and head to Wellington and find an apartment to live in.
"It is actually quite exciting. It is a new challenge with a new team and, obviously, we've got a new stadium. And I suppose I'll be able to go to my local pub and talk about how the Highlanders are going to go, instead of getting grief about being a Hurricane.
"It is the breath of fresh air you need after reaching one your major goals, which was the World Cup."
And how about that World Cup? Did the celebrations ever stop?"We had a fairly solid week after the final. It started in Auckland and I hung out with Tony Woodcock and a few of the boys. Then it was back to the farm to get re-grounded and I've been back there ever since."
Working around the farm in the Maniototo has kept Hore in pretty good shape. He boasts the impossibly square physique of a front-rower, of course.
And it is just as well he kept active. He had a date with the dreaded callipers yesterday to measure his skin folds.
Everything was "pretty good considering" although the body got a "wake-up call on Monday".
The 33-year-old could be forgiven for heading abroad to cash in on his status as a world champion. A benefit year or two in France or Japan would certainly help the bank balance.
But Hore is keen to remain in New Zealand. He is committed to cementing his All Blacks' spot and earning the right to run on for the Highlanders.
And he reckons he has joined a side on the up. The franchise recovered some ground last year after a few lean seasons and there is a sense of optimism about the Jamie Joseph-led side.
"There is definitely a bit of a buzz here. If you could pick a time to come to the Highlanders ... this would be it. Jamie has got a great bunch of guys and he has got some good coaches around him. They did a really good job last year and got some belief."
Hore has not had a lot of involvement with Joseph. Their paths crossed when Joseph was coaching the Wellington Lions and they went on a "couple" of fishing trips.
"Lucky enough, the Highlanders have given me a go and I just want to start from scratch and prove to the boys that I can add something."
As for his former side, Hore believes it will still be a threat despite losing some key personnel.
"It is well documented how many players have moved on. But, in all seriousness, I think they have some good coaches up there and still have some good players.
"Conrad Smith will do a good job leading them and there is the Victor Vitos and Jason Eatons and Jeremy Thrushes and those people who have played a lot of footy, as well. And they have some good young guys."
