Foaling

Question
Hi,
I bred my Arabian cross mare on August 10, 2009 and my vet says that her expected due date is July 2, 2010. What are some signs that I should look for to predict when she will foal? Also, she is a very high spirited and high strung mare. She stays at my land in the country so it is quite. She does not see many people. She has free access to the barn and the pasture. Do you think she may foal earlier or later than expected because I have heard that high strung mares may hold on to the foal longer, but since it is quite around the farm, she may foal early. She is a madden mare so I have no previous foalings to base it on. I have read Imprint Training of the Newborn Foal by Robert Miller and I was going to follow it when my foal is born, but I have heard some mixed opinions about imprint training. I have heard that it makes the foal disrespectful and hard to handle. I understand that you cannot rush through imprint training and that you have to make sure that you do each step past when the foal stops resisting. What is your opinion about imprint training a newborn foal? And if I do this, should I start as soon as the foal is born or should I let him nurse first?
Thank you.

Answer
Congratulations you your upcoming foal.  Even normally calm mares will become nervous as they get close to foaling.  Most mares will be calmer if left in familiar surroundings.  I always have all my necessary vet supplies on hand, new batteries in my flashlight and my vet's phone number at hand.
  I've been breeding Arabian horses for 30+ yrs. and ALWAYS imprint every one of our foals. We never have any problems with our horses becoming pushy.  Most people are very surprised at how calm and quiet our stallions behave.
    Signs to look for are a softening around the tail head (both sides of the tail).  The muscles will feel like a rotten cantelope as foaling time approaches.  Some mares "wax" before foaling which is a white discharge from the nipples that hangs down and resembles wax.  The mares udder will get tight and shiny as foaling time approaches.  The mare will inspect every inch of the area where she plans to foal to assure herself that it is safe for her to lie down and foal. You need to get some information about the foaling process, what a normal foal presentation is as opposed to a malpresetation and what to do if that occurs.  I hope you will have one quiet friend who is willing to come and help you but please don't invite a group of people to witness the event.  That WILL make your mare very nervous.  Good luck.