WHAT?

So just what is a fainting goat? Well, for starters, they can be known by other names, such as: wooden-legged, stiff-legged, nervous and Tennesse scare goats. Basically, we're talking about goats that, when scared/frightened/startled, lock up and fall over (not always, it depends on the type, severity and age of the animal - older ones learn to lean against stuff).

So where do they come from? Well, we don't really know, we just know that their origin traces back to the early 1800's when a farm worker appeared in Marshall County, Tennessee, with three nannies and a billy that fainted. It was thought by his dress that he may have come from Novia Scotia. He was a quiet man and wouldn't talk to anyone so whatever he knew will remain a secret forever. He eventually parted from Marshall County but before he did he sold his goats to Dr. H. H. Mayberry. Fortunately Dr. Mayberry propagated them and tried his best to research their history. He could find no evidence of such a breed anywhere else in the world. He was convinced they were a breed because their unique traits are hereditary.

What's the point of a goat that falls over? As strange as this may sound, these little critters actually served a purpose. Shepherds often kept the goats in with their flocks as insurance in case of predator attacks. The theory went something like this- as wolves would come down from the hills to attack a flock of sheep, the goats would become startled and, as per the name of their breed, they would faint. The sheep would make a clean getaway, as the wolves would focus on the stunned goats rather than pursue the fleeing sheep. Not that wonderful if you were one of the goats, sure, but downright dandy if you happened to be a sheep. This is thought to be one reason for the phrase: scapegoat.

What causes them to faint? A condition known as Myotonia causes fainting goats to stiffen and/or fall over when startled. This condition is caused by a combination of recessive genes. Fainting goats can show varying degrees of myotonia. When startled some will fall to the ground with their entire bodies perfectly stiff and rigid. Others will only stiffen in their limbs and not fall to the ground. The condition lasts for ten to fifteen seconds after which time the animal will rise and walk off stiff, still showing a noticable degree of stiffness in their back limbs. After a short time this stiffness will disappear and they will walk and act like any other goat. This condition only affects their external muscles so while in a myotonic state the animal is fully conscious and aware of it's surroundings. In no way does this condition affect their life span and with proper care they will live just as long as any other breed of goat.

By the way, they do exist, I've seen them!

AN EXAMPLE

Here's a quick animation to show you what happens to a fainting goat. It'll open in a new window. Check out the Tennesse Fainting Goats page, where you can download a video of a fainting goat in action - I jest not

LINKS

If you want to find out more about fainting goats, here's some suggestions:

Fainting Goats
Tennesse Fainting Goats
International Fainting Goat Association
Fainting Goats in Yooper Land

Alternatively, type 'fainting goats' into google and see what you get - loads!