I wasn't asking who should be responsible; it was more a rhetorical question because the term "Owners" is bandied about in all of these stories like it's a clear case, when in reality there are typically many, many owners in a gelding's lifetime.
This particular case is quite the exception; not the rule.
"should" and "will" are semantics - personally don't believe you should own horses if you cannot provide care for them or place them in a suitable environment after their career - but I, and this is just me- draw that line once a horse is taken off me.
If I claim a horse and lose it 10 days later, should I feel as though I should be held accountable to pay the way for this horse the rest of his life after racing?
I can tell you that I have personally placed every horse I've ever had that was in my care when it's career ended.
These include horses purchased from the sales, horses I've claimed and horses that were bought and never even made it to the track.
I know where each of them are and can visit them anytime I choose. And do.
The ones claimed away? I still have a soft spot in my heart for them, but they are not mine, thus not my responsibility.
In fact if every "owner" adopted that model, there would be a whole lot less of an issue.
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