How to maintain healthy mother?

I am growing out my next mother and found that my last one was great for a while but became a monster. I've decided to put her in soil vs hydro this time and see what that does for her.
Thoughts about her pruning process when not taking clones? How do you keep your mother healthy? About big to keep her so she doesn't over grow the space but has clones available when the time comes?

That is exactly what topping and LST is for. If you train the mom from the beginning to grow low and bush she will still throw plenty of clones and you can train her to better fit your space. I have trained mothers to grow in a circle around the edge of the planter. Works great and all the new clone sites get plenty of light.