Does anyone or has anyone kept contesting on your broodmare?  Did you keep her in shape?  Or just toss them out?

I think this depends on how far along she is, was she in shape and running to begin with and how hard do you want to run her? Some exercise is good for her. Ride her or lunge her a little, if she gets out of breath or looks uncomfortable, back off. 

For us, once a mare transitions into the broodmare band--that is now their job and we no longer ride them.