About Fainting
Goats
Fainting Goat is known by a number of other descriptive titles such as myotonic, nervous, stiff-legged, wooden-legged,
etc. The Fainter is a normal goat in every way except that they have a hereditary muscle condition called
myotonia. Myotonia causes the muscles to lock-up or stiffen when startled or excited. Fainters
do not actually faint or loose consciousness. They get stiff, loose their balance, and fall over.
The stiffness lasts for only seconds and the goat is fully alert the entire time they are “down”.
It has been determined that the animals exhibit no signs of pain or harm of any kind and this condition does not lessen
the goat’s lifespan.
Fainters come in
all colors, sizes, and coat lengths. They are hardy, gentle, and are wonderful mothers and easy kidders.
They make wonderful pets that love affection. With proper care, they can live into their teens.
The origin of the Tennessee Fainting
Goat remains somewhat of a mystery as in the early 1800’s a farm worker appeared in Marshall County, Tennessee with
three does and a buck that fainted. The farm worker did not speak to anyone and therefore did not reveal
the source of his unusual goats. He sold his goats to Dr. H. H. Mayberry who bred them and tried his best
to research their origins further. Dr. Mayberry could find no evidence of such a breed anywhere else in
the world.
