A horse's diet consists of forage which comes in various styles, oat hay, alpha grass hay, or various mixes. Depending on the size of the horse and their dietary needs the amount is based on weight. Naturally, you don't want to over feed them, but you don't want to underfeed them. As a rule, the horses' are fed twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. Usually, ten to fifteen pounds of forage each time.

Along with the forage some of the horses will receive "supplements" with their morning meal, these vary, but the easiest ways to think of them are as vitamins for horses.

The working police mount has the same days off as their assigned officer, and during this time they are allowed to play with their working horse friends in several turnout fields at the stables. This gives them a break from their work schedule and gives them the opportunity to have a snack of the grass field within the turnout area.

Each horse will receive a new set of shoes based upon the growing rate of their hooves. The hooves of horses are similar to fingernails of people, just as some grow faster than others the schedule of shoeing with varies with each horse. Typically, the horse is on shoeing schedule of 8 to 10 weeks, depending on the horse. There is a civilian farrier that will take care of the horses' needs. The shoeing of a horse is a complicated process that a professional must take care of. The mounted officers do not shoe the horses, but have the knowledge of the process and can take care of the horse should they have a loose shoe, or need to remove the shoe until the farrier arrives. Shoes for horses come in many different styles and composition, based upon the needs of the horse and the discipline of the riding style. Typically, the San Jose Police mount will use a steel shoe with a barium wash on the toe and heel to aid in traction when walking on hard surfaces, such as sidewalks.

Blankets for horses come in many different styles and thickness and are used for various needs of the horse. The San Jose Police mount are not body clipped as is done in different disciplines of the competitive horse world. Their body hair is allowed to grow naturally and when the weather changes the horses body compensates for this change.