Smaller meals of a balanced formula are always the better option. For a number of reasons, (digestive, feeding behavior, etc.) two feeding are the suggested minimum. The amount of Growth formula fed depends on how much hay (forage) is being fed, the type of forage, and your mare’s BCS (body condition score). By foaling, a target BCS score of 6 is desirable because of the high energy demands of the first 8-10 weeks of lactation. Energy demands for early lactation can be twice that of feeding for maintenance. Most of the fetal and some of the supporting tissue growth occurs in the final 120 days of pregnancy. Milk production (quality & quantity) has significantly dropped off by 6 months of foal age and there is no nutritional benefit to the foal or mare with weaning any later than then 6 months. There are other options with feeding a pregnant mare prior to the final 120 days of pregnancy. More details on feeding a pregnant mare can be found in Dr. Bray’s Corner.