AN equestrian business was nominated Trader of the Week for its 'five-star care' of retired horses.

Roses Bower Equine Retirement Services, based at Roses Bower Farm near Stonehaugh, is owned by Claire Watson-Laney.

The equine business opened seven years ago to care for retired horses in the North East, as Claire said she noticed a gap in the market.

Roses Bower cares for approximately 40 horsesRoses Bower cares for approximately 40 horses (Image: Supplied) Gemma Brown, who nominated the business, said: "The team work tirelessly to care for retired and sick horses and give them the best life. They are out there come rain, snow, gales ensuring the horses want for nothing."

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Claire said: "Lots of people have older horses that they don't want to sell and get rid of, but they struggle to give them the right space and shelter. It's not really available in the North East so I thought we could offer that here.

"We are a sheep farm but obviously farming is not a sustainable business anymore so we started to offer the horse retirement side to give us a bit of diversification on the farm."

Roses Bower Roses Bower offers all kinds of horse care (Image: Supplied) She said the business is important as many people feel they have no option but to give their older horses away as they can't care for them into their golden years.

"This gives them the chance to do that, their horse can be happy and looked after without them worrying about being stuck in a stable or in a busy yard for the rest of their lives."

Roses Bower cares for approximately 40 horses and offers all kinds of horse care.

"The horses are all owned by our clients and they pay livery for them to be looked after by us," Claire said.

"We make it possible for them not to have to come up if they don't want to, they come to visit to give them some TLC."

She added volunteers looking to help in any way would be welcome to support the business.

"It's lovely to be nominated Trader of the Week," she said. "It's a lovely business to be in."

Roses Bower Farm has holiday lets available to book on the site.