Aletheia Equine represents truth, embodiment, and ethical partnership between horse and human. Rooted in evidence-based learning theory, Aletheia Equine exists to move beyond dominance, force, and performance-at-all-costs horsemanship, and toward clarity, consent, and regulation for both species. Founded by Madelaine Smith — a horsewoman shaped by lived experience of injury, rehabilitation, and nervous-system recovery — Aletheia Equine reflects a belief that soundness, behaviour, and performance cannot be separated from welfare, learning, and emotional safety. The work blends positive reinforcement, classical foundations, and psychological insight, honouring the horse as a sentient individual rather than a problem to be fixed.
Aletheia Equine is not about shortcuts or aesthetics; it is about truth revealed through patience, feel, and ethical responsibility—where progress is measured not just in results, but in trust, resilience, and longevity.
WHAT WE OFFER
At Aletheia Equine, we offer ethical, trauma-informed training and education that supports horses and humans as interconnected systems rather than isolated problems. The work is grounded in evidence-based learning theory, equine behaviour research, and nervous-system science, ensuring every approach is guided by what is known to support welfare, soundness, and long-term outcomes for both horses and humans. We provide tailored support across groundwork, ridden development, rehabilitation-minded training, and behaviour support, with a strong emphasis on clarity, regulation, and consent.
Our aim is to educate owners and riders to understand how horses learn, how stress and prior experience influence behaviour, and how ethical training creates sustainable and empowered partnerships. We welcomes riders and owners of all disciplines and experience levels, offering a calm, inclusive environment where curiosity and collaboration are valued as highly as progress.
The following services reflect this philosophy in practice, each designed to meet the individual needs of both horse and human…
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Online and remote consultations at Aletheia Equine provide accessible, evidence-based support for horse and human, regardless of location. These sessions focus on guided learning, video review, and collaborative discussion to support training, behaviour, and welfare concerns through a positive reinforcement and trauma-informed lens. Remote consultations are well suited to situations where in-person support is not feasible. Each consultation is tailored to the individual, prioritising ethical decision-making, nervous-system regulation, and practical strategies that can be applied safely and sustainably at home.
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In-person sessions at Aletheia Equine provide hands-on, individualised training support grounded in positive reinforcement and evidence-based learning theory. Sessions may include groundwork, ridden development, rehabilitation-minded training, or behaviour support, with the approach adapted in real time to the horse’s physical and emotional state. Emphasis is placed on clarity, regulation, and ethical progression rather than compliance or pressure. Education is embedded throughout each session, supporting owners and riders to develop understanding and skills that extend beyond the session itself.
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Starting, Restarting & Foundational Training at Aletheia Equine is offered both on our property located near Bacchus Marsh (VIC) and within a 50km radius of the area; and focuses on building ethical foundations for young horses including first rides, horses returning to work, or those navigating significant transitions. All work is guided by positive reinforcement, with an emphasis on regulation, clarity, and long-term soundness rather than rushing milestones. Each program is tailored to the individual horse, prioritising welfare, emotional safety, and sustainable development at every stage.
Our Approach & Values
Aletheia Equine works with riders and owners who value an ethical, horse-first approach to training — one that is grounded in extensive psychological and behavioural research in order to provide practical and humane horse training. The training is established through findings across equine behaviour, learning theory, and nervous system science, recognising that behaviour, soundness, and performance arise from the interaction between how a horse learns, how their body functions, and how they experience stress and recovery.
This approach supports a wide range of horses and goals. It is suited not only to horses who struggle under pressure, but also to those expected to perform within it. Rather than relying on suppression or “pushing through”, training focuses on helping horses understand and navigate pressure with confidence and curiosity. Challenges are introduced thoughtfully and progressively, allowing horses to develop resilience and skill without compromising trust or animal welfare.
Positive reinforcement is used as a central learning strategy within a structured, ethical framework. Research in animal learning consistently demonstrates that clear criteria, appropriate reinforcement, and well-timed feedback support both learning and emotional regulation. In practice, this means training is neither permissive nor forceful, but intentional, responsive, and shaped by the individual horse’s needs and history.
Education and transparency are integral to the process. Owners and riders are supported to understand the reasoning behind each decision, bridging evidence-based theory with real-world application. This collaborative approach creates a calm, inclusive environment where people of all disciplines and experience levels can engage, learn, and progress alongside their horse in a way that is sustainable, ethical, and informed.
Contact Us
To get in contact with Aletheia Equine, use the contact form belong.