Maiden mare in foal, due to foal very soon

Hi there, I have a 5year old mare due to foal very soon and it's her first foal, weve been reading up on the Internet and in books looking for tell tale signs of going into labour and weve been noticing things changing in her, she keeps swishing her tale and kicking at her belly and I've noticed that her belly has gone slightly narrower than it was and now she keeps putting her back end up against the wall and she's looking really worried and quite scared, would anyone say she's going into labour or I've read they can go into false labour, any help would be greatly appreciated, Matthew

This is where you'd call your vet and get their opinion. People on the internet are going to be useless, because we can't see the mare.

I'd say she is VERY close to foaling! The signs are certainly there,so be sure to keep a very close eye on her.. When did you notice these changes starting?

We started noticing the changes yesterday and we've been keeping a close eye on her, Matthew

I'd say be prepared for it to start happening anytime then..From your description it sounds like the foal has dropped and is getting into position. What does her bag look like,is she dripping milk,is there wax on her teats,that kind of thing? Hope all goes well,and keep us posted! :)

Shes started bagging up a bit and when we checked her teats she had a clear liquid coming out, and yesterday there was a little dried up spec on the tip of her teat, like a pale cheese colour, Matthew

Hmm. Be prepaired to have the vet on speed dial. She sounds very close since she's getting uncomfortable and nervous. Is she starting to get relaxed around her tail head and volva being loose?

I haven't check around her tail set but her vulva does look a loose, Matthew

Usually it's about 24 hours or less once you have milk.

Usually the mare will become restless when you are getting very close. She may pace the stall and she may have patchy sweat spots behind the elbow, on the sides of her neck and on her flanks.

Sometimes she will appear colicky, lying down and getting up repeatedly, but if she eats, drinks, poops and pees it is a good indication that the first stages of labor are in progress.

Be sure to have the vets number handy, I would actually recommend giving them a ring when you know you are foaling (just to have them prepared should you need them).

The actuall deliver should not last more then 30 minutes so if it looks like it is going to, then you need a vet.

She is still eating but not as much as she generally does and she's pooing quite often aswell, when I got there this morning there were 4 poops and she is still peeing, my brothers going to check on her at 1 in the morning then I'll be going over about 4 ish so I'll let you know if anything happens