Choose "Save As" in the file menu in word. It should then be possible to specify the format to save it into. "Plain text" is the best option if you're sending a simple message; plain text takes very little space, and it's completely standard, runs at computer, including very old computers, cellphones and handheld devices. If you think it's important to keep the fonts and layout as it is, you can choose PDF. The RTF format is also an alternative. If your documents are big, ment for a wider audience, and/or contains pictures and stuff, you should probably save it as a web page, and send only the URL for it. Or you can just write (or copy) the text directly into the mail program; but check that your mail program is configured to send plain text.
This message body appears to be in a proprietary binary format that cannot be read on the receiving host (i.e "I'm sorry. I don't have Microsoft Word. Can you send it to me in plain text please?"). Or possibly write a short ascii text message warning that you have binary data to send - then I'll be able to talk to you about what should be done about it. Sending documents in Word format puts pressure on the recipient to use Microsoft too, and so you become part of the support for Microsoft's monopoly strategy. Would you please reconsider the use of Word format for communication with other people? I read normal plain ascii text just fine.
You sent the attachment in Microsoft Word format, a secret proprietary format, so it is hard for me to read. If you send me plain text or PDF, then I will read it. Distributing documents in Word format is bad for you and for others. You can't be sure what they will look like if someone views them with a different version of Word; they may not work at all. Receiving Word attachments is bad for you because they can carry viruses (see http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/acro.html). Sending Word attachments is bad for you, because a Word document normally includes hidden information about the author, enabling those in the know to pry into the author's activities (maybe yours). Text that you think you deleted may still be embarrassingly present. See http://www.microsystems.com/Shares_Well.htm for more info. But above all, sending people Word documents puts pressure on them to use Microsoft software and helps to deny them any other choice. In effect, you become a buttress of the Microsoft monopoly. This pressure is a major obstacle to the broader adoption of free software. Would you please reconsider the use of Word format for communication with other people? Converting the file to HTML is simple. Open the document, click on File, then Save As, and in the Save As Type strip box at the bottom of the box, choose HTML Document or Web Page. Then choose Save. You can then attach the new HTML document instead of your Word document. Note that versions of Word change in inconsistent ways -- if you see slightly different menu item names, please try them. To convert to plain text is almost the same -- instead of HTML Document, choose Text Only or Text Document as the Save As Type.