EQUINE WATER TREADMILL | Yorkshire EC

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Our Personal Experience with the ECB Equine Water Treadmill –
Written by Gemma Womersley

WHY WE CHOSE ECB TO PROVIDE OUR WATER TREADMILL

As the proprietor of Yorkshire EC, I decided to invest in a water treadmill to expand our equine hydrotherapy and rehabilitation services.

I carried out extensive market research and narrowed my options down to two main manufacturers, one of which was ECB. I initially came across ECB by chance when I contacted a treadmill manufacturer directly to explore building our own custom unit. The manufacturer was friendly and helpful, and he suggested I contact ECB as they couldn’t sell a Water Treadmill directly.

We had viewed a few competitor’s treadmills and 2nd hand ECB model.

From ECB themselves, their presentation and promises were impressive: they described their system as high-spec, robust, with “impeccable filtration,” “market-leading build quality,” and “excellent manufacturer support”. I was told very clearly that this was “the best machine on the market”. The cost reflected those claims, sitting at approx £50,000 more than the alternative brand. Despite the higher price, I chose ECB based on trust in their marketing, the expectation of aftercare, and the confidence that this was a premium, proven system. It also had some additional features over the competitor one. Naturally I asked whether there was any movement on price, and some discount was offered and accepted.

DELIVERY AND INSTALLATION

The Purchase, Delivery and Unknown Model Change

We ordered the treadmill which was inclusive of several features: walk and trot capability, an incline function, night-clean system, auto and manual modes, and capacity to store up to 1,000 horse profiles. ECB conducted a post order and pre delivery site visit and complimented the standard to which we had built the tank room and concrete pit, both of which had been constructed to the exact specifications they supplied.

However, on delivery it became apparent that something was wrong. The new treadmill did not match the supplied pit dimensions.

It turned out that we had been sent a new model that had some fully untested ‘improvements’ by ECB's manufacturer without any prior notice or discussion. At first this wasn’t a concern other than a few tweaks had to be jiggled to accommodate the pit specs.

Even before installation, we were discussing features like the automatic chlorine dosing system, which the older model included. The new version didn’t use chlorine at all.

Almost immediately after installation, the new model began to show faults. While some might have been called “teething issues”, the number and severity quickly made it clear that the machine had deeper design and functional flaws. Each time I reported problems, the response from ECB was friendly and promising, they were always “it’s ok we will sort it”.

OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS

Control and Operation

The new model came with a tablet-based control system rather than the fixed HMI control panel featured on previous versions. In theory, this allowed the operator to move around the treadmill while adjusting settings. In practice, it proved regularly unreliable and at times not safe. The touchscreen was and still can be overly sensitive, meaning a splash of water can alter the speed or settings.

The tablet holder often swivelled or loosened despite being repeatedly secured with Loctite. Horses would occasionally trigger the screen with their nose or chin when they turned around (regular occurrence - treats please!), causing unexpected speed changes or unwanted operations.

More concerningly, after a few months the Wi-Fi connection between the tablet and the main control unit (HMI) frequently dropped mid-session, leaving me unable to control the treadmill. On several occasions, this forced me to abandon the operating position, leave the horse, or rely on a second person on video call to press buttons remotely from the tank room. This posed a significant safety risk for both horse and handler. Fortuitously, each time this has happened, the horses have had great temperaments or been regular users and calm to treadmill and the owners have been very understanding. ECB’s only solution was to move the Wi-Fi unit closer to the treadmill, which helped slightly on manual running but it still drops frequently on auto programmes, so much so I now avoid running the auto programme. My repeated request to relocate the HMI back to the treadmill position, as in the older model, has been dismissed, this would stop the problem and no wifi connected to the HMI needed it would be hardwired. Very recently I had the opportunity to ask the manufacturer again for this following new issues in Sep 25 and they had visited with the software engineer onsite who said it was possibly just a new coms wire to be run.

FILTRATION SYSTEM

The filtration system is something ECB prides itself on yet it has been the single biggest fault since day one. It has never worked as advertised. ECB has never known why it doesn’t work reliably, repeatedly blamed our water source despite the fact that our private supply produces clear water in every other use, and a lack of chlorine (although the ozone system shouldn’t need that).

The auto night clean has been really intermittent, we noted to ECB Dec 24 that we didn’t think the night clean was consistently coming on itself

I have performed complete deep cleans, drained and vacuumed the tanks, refilled with treated water, and balanced pH levels precisely, inc chlorine attempts. Still, it would immediately turn the water opaque. The ozone unit meant to maintain water clarity was sent off for repair in May 2024 after I reported another failure in March. ECB confirmed it was faulty. It was replaced in August but continued to perform poorly.

We have extensive wash down facilities and each of our clients comment on how thorough we are on hygiene and water cleanliness. We empty our water tanks at least twice a week - can you imagine that unnecessary water bill 12,000l of water each week for well over a year when they state even on their website approx 6 weeks of use before changing water?

We decided to try to prove to ourselves it wasn’t our water and filled the treadmill tub directly from the tank water source - literally crystal clear - sent it back to the tank and on return to the treadmill once it had been around FULLY cleaned tanks (as much as we can access to clean) the water returned dirty and really dirty. How can this be our water? I understand fully that ECB are stumped but that should not be my problem - they sold me a treadmill with the expectation it would work fully and as advertised - the best filtration.

EMERGENCY FEATURES

The treadmill’s emergency stop buttons were positioned where clients frequently triggered them by accident. I raised this several times and was told “no one else has that problem”. When Ean from ECB visited in October 2024, the first thing he did was accidentally hit the stop button himself with his stomach, proving the design flaw instantly. The first “fix” involved fitting caps over the buttons, which made them awkward and slow to reset, particularly unsafe for those with larger hands. It took until February 2025 for ECB to modify them. We requested that they were simply turned on their side. Many, many of our clients can testify to this and that they felt it was a silly place to put them. Since changing not ONCE have they been accidentally activated.

Our treadmill also arrived with their Horse In Place laser stop, which effectively is supposed to activate when if the horse was to fall, it should shut the belt off.
However the system requires that we do start up checks and if the Horse In Place doesn’t register its laser point it won’t allow the start up checks to complete. We had constant problems with this, and it was removed with the idea it was to be replaced (I bought the treadmill with it - even if we didn’t get to use it) but to date it hasn’t been replaced. We just have a wire instead.

DOOR CLOSURES

Door Closures and Leaks

Both door closures suffered constant leaks, even after ECB claimed to have sealed or replaced them. These were not cosmetic drips; they affected operation and safety. I documented the leaks repeatedly and included them in my “Are You Ready” report for ECB.

Door Alignment and Pin Mechanism

The treadmill doors close using a pin-and-eye style mechanism, and both doors have had issues closing properly since day one. This ongoing problem affects the seal integrity and contributes to leakage during use.

When operating the leverage arm, the pin is supposed to spring up smoothly into place. However, in practice, the pin either grates against the inside of the top plate or requires excessive force to engage. At one point, a metal or fibre-plastic replacement was fitted, but the issue persisted.

I was told there should be some adjustability in the mechanism so that as the doors age, it can be tightened or loosened accordingly. However, if the doors already need to be set to their maximum adjustment from new, where does that leave me as the fittings continue to wear? What happens to the longevity of the doors once the warranty expires?

The over-flexing of the door mechanism also causes the securing screws to pop out, which in turn blows the door seal during operation. When this happens, water escapes rapidly.

BREAST AND BREECH BARS

The breast and breech bars supplied with the treadmill have raised ongoing concerns regarding safety and ease of use. Both are fitted with push-clip release mechanisms that many clients find awkward to operate, and even experienced handlers can struggle with, particularly when managing sharper or more reactive horses. While it is possible to release the clips single-handedly, it can be difficult to do smoothly and safely if a horse leans forward or presses against the bar.

The bars were also fitted with metal end caps which, when dropped, create a loud bang against the glass panels. This sudden noise can startle some horses, increasing handling difficulty. ECB suggested, and online examples appear to confirm, that several clients have been advised to wrap the ends with vet wrap to reduce noise. While that may help temporarily, it is not an appropriate long-term solution for a £140,000 piece of equipment.

To ensure safety for both horses and handlers, we sourced foam covers ourselves, which have improved the situation considerably. I also suggested that ECB consider a Böckmann-style horse trailer safety release, as shown in the “Are You Ready” document. ECB’s response to this suggestion was positive, but no offer was made to implement the change.

We continue to use additional safety checks and handling precautions to minimise risk during every session. I am aware of other ECB treadmill owners who have encountered similar difficulties with this system, suggesting that it may be a wider design issue that could be easily resolved with a more user-friendly release mechanism.

ESCALATION AND CORRESPONDENCE

By mid-2024, after months of unresolved faults and minimal progress, I emailed demanding a final resolution - ECB knew I was serious and ECB agreed to visit the site to review the treadmill in person. Ean attended in October 2024 and immediately acknowledged the scale of the problems I had been reporting - the leaks, stop buttons, control issues, and persistent filtration failure.

During the visit, we discussed potential resolutions. I made it clear that I needed one of three outcomes:

A new replacement treadmill, built correctly and to the specification I had paid for;
A full return and refund; or
For ECB to take back the current machine and replace giving them the option to sell this one, with Ean mentioning he already had a potential buyer within racing who would purchase it at a discount. The idea was that those funds could then be used to build a replacement unit.

I also asked that if this was agreed to take and replace that ECB liaise directly with my finance company to ensure that repayments could be paused or held while I was without a working treadmill. Ean agreed that he was “thinking along the same lines” and said he would speak to the manufacturer about moving forward with a replacement build.

Following the visit, ECB confirmed this plan with replacement treadmill via WhatsApp messages and asked me to compile a complete list of faults and suggested improvements for the new model as ECB and the manufacturer would hold a meeting in Nov to discuss the treadmill model changes, ours and issues. I prepared the “Are You Ready - named lightheartedly” document.

Following the meeting the offer of a new replacement was withdrawn and an offer of replacement parts made instead. I was not happy with this and said all along that I do feel ECB can build a great treadmill but that I got the Friday afternoon build - I don’t expect perfection from a company but I do expect the quality of customer service they say they have and that they stick to their word.

Messages from Ean and Richard referred to ongoing discussions with the manufacturer to “finalise details” but despite repeated assurances, no tangible progress was made. The distinction was never made clear, and no written plan or schedule was ever provided.

By December, I was told they were “waiting for components” and that the work would take place “after Christmas”. By that point, the treadmill had already spent most of its first year underperforming. I continued using it purely out of necessity - clients depended on the service - but each session required excessive preparation, water management, and cleaning.

The same faults persisted: filtration failure, leaks, belt debris, and connection dropouts. What began as a clear verbal agreement for replacement quietly turned into vague talk of future works that never materialised. The October visit, and the assurances that followed, ultimately led to no practical result.

Months passed with no complete solution. I reported every problem promptly and clearly . ECB repeatedly postponed or redefined their commitments. They claimed planned remedial works would be carried out in June 25 then October, but that date came and went without completion. Now I’m told it’s my fault for the delays as I haven’t confirmed I want the works carried out.

But what I have asked for is clarification on my position if the repairs and replacements are done, and it still has problems. THEY HAVE NEVER CONFIRMED this, instead they answer without answering every time, stating they don’t think I will ever be happy. I reply I will if I have what I was sold.

In the meantime, I continued to operate the treadmill as best I could, under constant stress and inconvenience, because I had clients depending on the service. Virtually every session is to be adapted around the machine’s faults.
I have turned down collaborations with companies, demos, promos, all because I don’t trust its reliability to work on such a day.

On 29 July 2025, I sent a detailed, numbered email requesting written commitments from ECB. I asked for a specific repair timeline, confirmation of a full refund if the problems persisted, a clear warranty start date following completed works, and appropriate compensation for disruption.

Ean finally replied on 4 September 2025. The response was vague and evasive. He referred vaguely to “liaising with ECB” and assured me the work “will be completed” but failed to specify when. There was no mention of a refund if the treadmill remained substandard, no acknowledgement of the belt deterioration I’d reported, and no discussion of warranty renewal. Most concerning, he implied delays were caused by me not deciding what I wanted to do, which makes no sense - why would I not want my issues resolving I just wanted clear confirmations to my concerns, to say I caused the delays is inaccurate and unfair.

I replied on 10 September, reiterating that these delays were not my doing, that November was too late, and that I expected clear written confirmation of exactly what ECB planned to fix, when, and what assurance I had if it failed again. (no response to date and hence this is published)

CLIENT EXPERIENCE AND SAFETY

Throughout all of this, I continued to operate as safely and professionally as possible. Many clients witnessed the faults first-hand: discoloured water, alarms, leaks, and malfunctions mid-session. They saw me constantly troubleshooting and adapting.

The only reason these sessions remained safe was my own preparation, calm handling, and ability to problem-solve under pressure. Many clients have commented that no one else could run that machine safely under such circumstances. Several said outright that the number of extra steps and precautions I have to take is unacceptable given the cost of the equipment.

CURRENT POSITION AND FINANCIAL IMPACT

I have done everything possible to work with ECB, to allow time for rectification, and to communicate clearly. Despite that, the treadmill still does not meet its advertised specification or the standard described at the point of sale. ECB’s current suggestion is that I should return it “in workable condition” to qualify for a refund of £105k is unreasonable, as the machine has never been in fully workable condition since the day it was installed. Based on the fact I have used it, but for how long have I asked for a refund or return, how long have I had to take extra steps to work around so many things.

This situation has also carried a significant financial impact. The treadmill was purchased through a commercial asset finance agreement, which means that under the terms of that agreement, all interest for the full finance term remains payable, even if the equipment is returned or the agreement is settled early. Realising this was emotionally difficult. It meant that even if I returned the treadmill as not fit for purpose, I would still bare the costs of the barn revamp to house it and around £50,000 in interest payments on equipment that has never performed as advertised and still have no treadmill at the end - simply a very large bill for a hole in the ground.

Initially, the finance provider viewed this as a matter between myself and the supplier, which is standard practice. However, once they reviewed the full evidence, including correspondence, photographic and video proof, and independent feedback, they took a different position. They have since agreed to settle the agreement in full and to waive the remaining interest, recognising that this has been an exceptional case.

While I am grateful for their decision, the fact that such a step was taken by a regulated finance company, which would not normally intervene beyond its contractual role, speaks for itself. It highlights the scale of the issues experienced and the credibility of the evidence presented.

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SUMMARY OF REPORTED FAULTS

Filtration system failure
Ozone unit faulty and replaced
Water discolouration after minimal use
Excessive manual cleaning and refilling
Tablet Wi-Fi dropout mid-session
No treadmill-mounted control panel
Stop buttons triggered accidentally
Stop button covers impractical
Leaking doors and tanks
Platform instability
Belt degradation (rubber fragments)
Poor aftercare and communication
Missed deadlines for remedial works

-Software emptied out all water overnight on several occasions - early morning clients arrive on site for us to find there is no water in the treadmill tanks (ecb said it was an error on my part - later found it was software issue
-Drive belt would start and abruptly stop. Then start again without warning, with lack of warning it would unsettle the horse.
-Breast bar clips constantly awkward to unclip, especially with a sharp horse wanting to rush off. Multiple traps of fingers and cuts sustained.
-Door seals bust open on 6 occasions from door pole brace screw becoming loose as its too short and the pole over flexes. Horses have panicked on each occasion - no warning
-Water drain hatch on treadmill, opens and overflows the pit so the water fills to electrical height. Drain pipe fitted and directed to drain hole.
-Platform above water hatch buckles when stood on, first closure with bar, trapped fingers, second option with gas struts unsuitable, Plastic bucket was placed by ECB to hold down the platform as a ‘temporary solution’. Platform still raises on it own accord. This continues to remain a regular issue because we have to drop water so frequently due to lack of filtration. Any manure accidents ,the water gets drained down whilst the horse is still on, because the filtration struggles to improve the clarity of the water.
-Flow Errors on Ozone Unit
-New protein skimmer made and fitted - unfortunately tanks now look rather butchered
-Horse In Place Laser problems from very early on, causes problems because system won’t allow start up without it being ‘happy’ early ’25 its removed and has not been replaced…
-Tablet running out of charge after 3/4 horses, charger port fitted to treadmill instead. Still regular issues, charger been replaced summer 25, still intermittent charging issues
-When operating at 10-11-12kph trot speeds, treadmill abruptly stops (when horse on) - not good for a horse trying to trot in the first place. Unsure if this has any resolution as I didn’t want to test with poor horse when they didn’t know why it was happening, alarm codes but didn’t reach the problem.
-SD Card failed - loosing data, managed to save several and re upload. Current one, doesn’t save the 1000 horses described and is deleting horses saved when I add new ones once over 100 horses manufacturer checking Sep 25
-Leaking filter box, and tanks from day one, not resolved - only promised of new tanks.
-Really high pitched running noise, ECB felt that was characteristics of the machine, clients and staff couldn’t bare to be near. Ear protection had to be worn. The manufacturer organised for SEW to visit, the frequency was altered and improved hugely, however recommended high end speed was reduced from 12kph to 10kph without telling me
-On two day old water with only a handful of horses, chlorine tried, smells so strong clients not happy.
-Software issue - won’t allow slider to move up or down to select programmed horse.
-Wifi connection lost to tablet, whilst in operation
-Ozone unit failed Mar 25, taken off May 25, repair Aug 25, still issues after
-Possible comms issue - treadmill with not run inverter faults - Manufacturer checks with their Software engineer they saw alarms, but not find the issue. Not happened again but worried it will.

After more than a year of faults, temporary fixes, and shifting promises, we still have a machine that is not demonstrating an ability that is fit for purpose. I have maintained transparency, provided every opportunity for resolution, and documented everything. What I purchased was marketed as the best machine available; what I received has been a continuous source of stress, expense, and lost confidence.

This record exists to present the full picture, both for ECB to acknowledge and for potential customers to make informed decisions based on evidence, not advertising.

CORRESPONDENCE AND TRANSPARENCY

While I have shared selected emails at the bottom of this page, mainly between myself and Ean, some also correspondence with Richard, as both were involved in discussions regarding the treadmill and proposed resolutions. These emails represent the key points of communication where formal commitments, updates, or positions were given.

I have not included the extensive WhatsApp conversations in this section. Those messages were between ECB employees and myself, and although they provide a detailed timeline of issues, responses, and admissions, I feel it is more appropriate to retain them for formal or legal use if required.

If anyone reading this, whether a potential customer, professional, or supplier, would like to understand more about our experience, I am happy to discuss it privately and off public view, including clarifying any context around these messages.

If anyone reading this, whether a potential customer, professional, or supplier, wishes to understand more about our experience, I am happy to discuss it privately and off public view on these messages. My intention is not to cause conflict, but to provide transparency for others making informed decisions.

This type of Water Treadmill is a major investment, both financially and professionally. It was a huge decision to take the leap and fund such a facility, and to then face so many ongoing issues has been incredibly difficult. Although this has been our start-up year, I have struggled to confidently promote our new venture when I feel unable to present the treadmill publicly as the showcase it was meant to be. It has held back the growth of our business, limited demonstrating to clients what we can do as hydrotherpists, and affected future plans to expand our rehabilitation services with additions such as salt rooms, spas, and PEMF treatments. Without security and reliability in our water treadmill, it would be irresponsible to continue investing further until this situation is resolved.

FINAL NOTE

Everything written here is based on our direct experience with the ECB treadmill and the ongoing situation since installation. Every point raised has either been communicated in full to ECB or is supported by photographic and video evidence.

We have repeatedly requested help to resolve these issues, but over time it has felt as though our concerns, particularly from Ean’s side, have become more of a frustration to him rather than a priority. His wider team have always been friendly and polite, and the engineers who have visited have seen our challenges first-hand and genuinely tried to help. However, the problems are far beyond what can be fixed by simply sending technicians to take a look. The design and build quality issues are fundamental and cannot be resolved by minor adjustments.

We sincerely hope that in time this experience can turn into a positive one, and that ECB will take accountability and work with us properly to reach a fair and professional resolution.

To our clients, please rest assured that we will continue to run as we always have while this situation is being resolved. Every additional step, safety measure, and workaround we have learned over the past year will remain in place to ensure your horses receive the same high standard of care and attention as ever.

Whatever the eventual outcome with ECB, we are fully committed to continuing to offer equine hydrotherapy at Yorkshire EC. If our situation with this particular machine ends unfavourably, our contingency plan is ready, and our service to you and your horses will not stop.

And to any of our clients reading this, thank you sincerely to each and every one of you who has shown understanding, patience, and continued confidence in our ability to help your horses achieve their goals. Your trust in me as your horse’s hydrotherapist, even through all of this, has meant an incredible amount. It has been a genuine source of motivation and one of the main reasons I have kept pushing forward when things have been at their most difficult.

REFLECTIONS

Ultimately, I feel that the core issue in all of this is that we became, in effect, the guinea pig for the new version of the ECB Water Treadmill. From what I have since learned, the manufacturer, who has always been friendly and well-intentioned, is genuinely striving to produce the best treadmill on the market. However, I believe this pursuit has led to over-complication and over-engineering in some areas, without sufficient testing in real-world use before release.

ECB themselves have acknowledged that certain design tweaks were implemented by the manufacturer without their prior knowledge. In theory, innovation and development are positive things, but in this case it left us with a treadmill that was effectively a prototype rather than the proven, market-leading product we were sold. The filtration system, for example, was entirely new and had only been trialled on an older model for another client, not under commercial workload conditions. Other components were similarly untested.

ECB have repeatedly said that they have never had issues with other treadmills before mine, and none since. However, by their own admission, the machines are constantly undergoing upgrades and design changes. The reality is that there has never been a treadmill quite like mine before or after. It would be impossible for anyone else to have had the same problems, because no one else has had this exact version.

To me, that statement is like being told by a car dealership that because no one else has reported a fault, my car must be fine, even when it is clearly not running properly. It shifts the responsibility onto the customer instead of acknowledging that something about the product itself needs addressing.

I do not take issue with innovation itself, as I support progress and improvement, but I should have been told that this was a new model still being refined. I should have been given the choice to either accept that knowingly or select the established version instead. At the very least, ECB and the manufacturer should have been on the same page and presented a unified, transparent process to their customer.

I have always said that I do not judge a company or individual by their successes, but by how they handle their challenges. Mistakes happen, things go wrong, and no build or project will ever be 100 percent perfect. What matters is how those situations are handled, and whether the company takes full responsibility to put things right, both in the product and in the customer’s experience. That is all I have ever asked for, and what I still hope ECB will choose to do.

SUPPORTING CORRESPONDENCE

Sidenotes - delay by GW Dec 24 - Jan 25 due to breaking my back, plus ECB manufacturer had a personal matter I understood from ECB. Delay briefly in April 25 due to shattered wrist, and July 25 trampled by horse so short delay - ECB were noted about these.