Today we’re celebrating Equine ER’s first birthday – the nonfiction book by Leslie Guttman, published by Eclipse Press, came out roughly a year ago.

As a special gift to readers of this blog, we’re giving away the Equine ER e-book free for a limited time. Email equineer@leslieguttman.com up until midnight PST TONIGHT (9/21/10), and you’ll receive the e-book this week.

Again, that is the electronic book we’re giving away, NOT the print book, the e-e-e-book. E as in Equine ER. (Sorry for the overkill; just want to be clear.)

(Very important: The e-book will be coming to you as an attachment. Check your spam box this week if you don't see it in your inbox.)

We appreciate you reading this blog and all your comments over the past two years. Your recent comments have included:

1)  Readers discussing various reasons behind their horse’s flight response being triggered, including: “a) golf-ball-sized hail on a tin roof, b) dogs running (above) in a hay loft, c) my horse’s own shadow!”

2)  A passionate debate over Thoroughbred breeding after an Equine ER book excerpt discussed a mare on Foal Watch with a history of extremely problematic pregnancies. One reader argued in the discussion that “breeding a mare that can produce quality offspring that enhances the horse market is not greed. Especially in this case where the owner is investing in veterinary care to ensure the safety of the mare and foal.” Another reader countered by saying, “… but to risk the mare’s life and possibly the foal inheriting the same problems? Is this quality breeding?”

3) Equine ER author Leslie Guttman is a quote collector, and another reader liked the quote Leslie picked up from a horsewoman on Equine ER's New York book tour. The quote was: “Without limitation, there is no freedom." – Thomas Aquinas. The reader wrote: “If only parents and animal enthusiasts would apply that concept …”

Meanwhile, if you have come to this blog recently, there is an Equine ER video series on YouTube that was produced by Leslie during the writing of the book. Search for Equine ER on YouTube or check out one of the videos here.

This blog is going on break until after the World Equestrian Games (WEG), which starts Sept. 25 and ends mid-October. See you after we get back and don’t forget to check out The Horse’s special team coverage of WEG.