This code of ethics provides governance for three main domains of concern:

First, it specifies professional standards which allow for the proper discharge of Equine Hanna Somatics Educators' responsibilities to the clients they are serving; Secondly, it protects the integrity of Equine Hanna Somatics® Education (EHS) and the professionally certified EHS Education Practitioners; and Finally, it safeguards the interests and persons of the clients under the care of Equine Hanna Somatics® Education practitioners.

All Certified Equine Hanna Somatics Practitioners, Licensed Teachers of EHS, or Equine Practitioners-in-Training practicing under the limitations imposed upon pre-certified students of EHS, agree to:

• Hold a sincere commitment to providing the highest quality of care to all equines and persons who seek out their professional services.

• Accurately represent professional qualifications, including education and professional affiliations, and provide only those services which they qualified to perform by training and experience.

• Inform the general public, clients, and other health care practitioners accurately about the scope and limitations of EHS practices.

• Acknowledge the limitations of and contraindications to the application of EHS practices, and refer clients to appropriate health professionals as needed.

• Provide EHS only when there is a reasonable expectation that it will be advantageous to the client.

• Maintain and improve professional certifications, knowledge, and skills through ongoing assessment of professional strengths and weaknesses, and through continued education and training.

• Observe honesty and integrity in conducting all business and professional activities, and refuse to unjustly discriminate against clients or other ethical health professionals.

• Safeguard the confidentiality of all client information unless disclosure is authorized by the client, required by law or court order, or absolutely necessary for the protection of the public at large.

• Respect the client's right to receive care with informed and voluntary consent. The consent may be either written, verbal or non-verbal and will be obtained before providing any EHS education.

• Honor the client's right to refuse, request modification of, or terminate a session regardless of prior consent given.

• Ensure the safety, comfort, and privacy of all clients in their provision of care.

• Exercise their right to refuse to work with an equine/person or part of the body for reasonable cause.

• Refrain, under any circumstances, from initiating or engaging in any sexual conduct, activities, or sexualizing behavior involving a client, even if the client attempts to sexualize the relationship.

• Avoid any influences, activities or interests which might conflict with their obligation to always act in the best interests of their clients or profession.

• Clearly identify and give credit to ideas, techniques, and principles derived from other people, disciplines and methods within the field when teaching or sharing them, particularly in regards to written publications, dissertation research and training program curricula that integrate different methods of somatic movement education.

• Respect existing publishing rights, intellectual property and copyright laws, both nationally and internationally.

• Obey all applicable local, regional and national laws, including obtaining and maintaining business licensing and professional registration required by the nation, state, province, or local jurisdiction in which they practice;