Meet Heather Marshall, Equine Key Account Specialist and Epicur’s newest team member! Heather has a wealth of experience in the veterinary field, particularly in equine sales, and she brings a unique perspective and a passion for horses to her role at Epicur.
Below, Heather shares insights into her responsibilities, background, and the exciting journey of joining Stokes Healthcare. Keep reading for a glimpse into the world of equine veterinary sales and to get to know Heather.
Q: Heather, we’re excited to have you join the team! Can you start by telling readers about your role at Epicur?
Heather: Sure! My role at Epicur is still evolving, as I just started in March (2025). My main responsibilities include meeting with equine veterinarians, primarily those with practices I can visit, to build and nurture relationships, and educating veterinary teams about our equine products. I currently cover the East Coast from Maine to South Carolina.
It’s a lot of fun meeting with veterinary teams and having one-on-one sit-downs to discuss our products over a cup of coffee, or even a conversation in a barn during a procedure to share how our products can be life-changing for patients. I love the relationship-building aspect of my job, and it’s very rewarding to meet face-to-face and build long-lasting relationships.
Q: Have you worked in equine sales or the veterinary medicine industry before?
Heather: Yes, I started in pharmaceuticals as a distributor rep right out of college, focusing on equine products. I’ve always been passionate about horses; horseback riding is one of my favorite hobbies. Later, I worked with Novartis Animal Health, working more with companion animal vets. It was still really fun, but my work day was different. With companion animal or small animal practices, it’s possible that you are meeting with 8-10 vets a day. Whereas when you work with equine veterinary practices, there’s a smaller percentage of brick-and-mortar practices and many are mobile, so you are often covering more miles in one day and meeting with fewer vets or staff. Often, we meet at 7:00 in the morning as they are packing for their calls. The two different practice styles require different planning to try to connect with practitioners during their day.
After taking some time to raise my children, I ventured into selling equipment for both equine and small animals. My preference has always been the equine side, but I’ve gained valuable experience in both areas.
Q: Can you share more about how equine veterinary sales differ from small animal veterinary sales?
Heather: Equine sales can seem more personable because of the nature of the specialty. Equine veterinarians often share their cell phone number, and when you call, you’re typically catching them while they’re on their way to appointments. It differs from small animal practices as there are often fewer equine patients seen in a day. You still might not always meet with the practice owner, but there are different points of contact in the field.
In the equine community, it’s a very close-knit family feel. Equine vets spend one-on-one time with their clients and their horses, building deep relationships. They don’t have a lot of other staff, so you get to have direct conversations with the vet, and you really get to know them and their one practice manager, who helps keep them organized.
They really are entwined in their clients’ lives. They’re constantly on call and they might see a client or patient several times a week. Their clientele isn’t just numbers, they are like family to them, and that’s the feel of the entire equine community. Just last week, I had one conversation over a joint injection, which was great, and on another visit the practice manager and I just sat at the kitchen table and talked. I really enjoy that personal aspect of equine medicine.
Q: What drew you to Epicur and made you excited to join the team?
Heather: I was introduced to Epicur by a good friend who connected me with Brett Davidson, Epicur’s National Equine Sales Manager. The chemistry with the team was fantastic, and the idea of starting something new was thrilling. Knowing that the same Bova formula for injectable omeprazole has been successfully used for seven years was reassuring. The support from the Epicur team was incredible and I felt it from the start; everyone was willing to help and guide me. It is a very caring group.
Q: How do you convey the benefits of Epicur’s omeprazole injection to equine veterinarians who have been treating gastric ulcers for a long time?
Heather: Well, they’re all familiar with omeprazole because it’s been available in an oral version. Another omeprazole injection that has been on the market had a lot of side effects, and the effectiveness is not the same.
So, I start by highlighting the history of the Bova injectable formula, which has been very successful in the UK and Australia with over 200,000 doses sold. I focus on the fact that our products are manufactured by Epicur, a 503B outsourcing facility, following FDA guidelines, ensuring better dating and quality. It’s important to overcome the compounding stigma and emphasize the published papers and data backing our product. Relating to veterinarians and addressing their concerns is crucial.
Q. When you’re not in the field meeting with vets, what are some of your hobbies and interests outside of work?
Heather: I love the outdoors and enjoy activities like running trails in the woods and gardening. I’m a mom of two, with a daughter who’s 20 and a son who’s 18 and graduating soon, so they keep me busy. But overall, I enjoy being outside with nature and animals, and I am looking forward to getting back to riding once I am established in my territory! I’m excited about my job at Epicur and the opportunity to travel and meet hardworking people who also love what they do.
Thanks, Heather! We’re excited for the expertise and passion you bring to Epicur’s team.
Equine Resources to Explore
On-Demand Webinars
Click the webinar title to watch now.
Updates on the Treatment of Equine Gastric Disease
Dr. David Rendle highlights recent developments in the management of both squamous and glandular gastric disease.
Potential and Pitfalls of SGLT2 Inhibitors in the Management of Equine Metabolic Syndrome
Watch now to gain confidence in knowing when to consider and when to stop treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors.
Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome: Prevention, Management, and Recent Treatment Advances
Review the key management practices that can be used to prevent and treat EGUS
