The New Orleans Police Department’s Mounted Unit is one of the department’s most iconic divisions.  Visible in the historic French Quarter and at such high profile events as Mardi Gras, Super Bowls and many of the city’s numerous music festivals, the horses are an integral part of the NOPD and they always seem to draw a crowd.

• Currently the NOPD Mounted Unit is comprised of 24 horses, 11 human officers and two foals.

• In 2016 the New Orleans Police Department began an in-house horse breeding program to ensure a continual source of quality horses for the future.

• Two foals were born in the spring of 2017: Tebo Stardust, a colt, was born in March; and Detroit Lady, a filly, arrived in April.

• Gestation period for a horse is 11 months.

• Warmblood horses are the preferred breed for mounted patrol horses. A warmblood is a combination of a draft horse and a thoroughbred or a quarter horse.

• Not every horse can be a NOPD Mounted Unit horse. They must show the right mix of temperament and personality to be a good fit. Horses that do not make it as Mounted Unit members are returned to their original owner.

• It can take anywhere from a few months to a year of training to turn an adult horse into a Mounted Unit horse. Young horses do not begin saddle training until they are at least 18 months old.

• NOPD’s in-house breeding program exists because of generous tax-deductible donations from individuals, organizations and corporations.

Donations can be made to the Mounted Unit through the New Orleans Police & Justice Foundation (NOPJF). Visit the NOPJF website at http://nopjf.org/donations/mounted-unit or make a check payable to the New Orleans Police & Justice Foundation. Please indicate the donation is for the Mounted Unit and mail to: NOPJF Accounting Department, 320 Metairie-Hammond Highway, Suite 519, Metairie, LA 70005