how close is my mare?

Question
Hi there!
I have a 12 year old mare foaling for I think her 4th time. (This is my first foaling) We don't know when she was bred.   2 weeks ago her stomach dropped in a peak, and about a week ago her bag started filling. I'm not sure how to guage the bag developement but by looking at pictures of other mares online she's pretty full... but she hasn't dripped milk or waxed to my knowledge. Just today she began rubbing her tail vigorously against the stall. Just lately she developed these hard large "tubes" running across her belly, and I haven't figured out what those are yet. I'm just wondering how close she might be? Should we bed up her stall real good? She's alone in a safe pasture right now, but she's locked in most of the time because of mud issues and she's an outside horse and I don't know if being locked in makes her mad or not. Is she pretty close? Or should I maybe relax a bit? : )

Answer
Tara,
    I would say your mare is close to time for her to foal.  Only the foal knows for sure when its ready to be born.  Not all mares wax before foaling but....watch your mare in the evenings.  Most mares tend to foal at night.  She will seem restless, very alert and "checking" every corner to make sure there is no threat.  Prior to foaling a mare will clean out and her stool will begin to soften until it looks like a cow patty.  When she is pacing the fenceline,  cleaing out and restless, she is probably in labor.  Make sure you have the necessary items to care for her and the foal when the foal does arrive.   If you walk the pasture where your mare stays, you will find a spot where she has "churned up the ground" and that area will be very soft under your feet.  That is where she wants to foal.
Good luck with your mare and foal.  You probably should call your vet and let him/her know of the impending birth as a vet should be called to check both the mare and foal.