by Suzette Baker

Created on: July 09, 2009   Last Updated: August 06, 2009

The myotonic goat is a breed of domestic goat known by numerous names including myotonic goat, wooden-leg goat, Tennessee fainting goat, stiff-legged goat, nervous goat, and scare goat. These nicknames refer to a condition known as myotonia congenita, a condition in which the muscles freeze for approximately ten seconds when the goat is startled. The goat does not really faint. Instead, it experiences a painless stiffening of the muscles that causes the goat to stiffen and sometimes fall down.

The intensity of the stiffness varies from one goat to another and is based on certain factors, including the goat's age, species purity, and the degree to which the animal was surprised. Older goats often learn to lean against something or spread their legs to prevent themselves from falling over. Other animals including mice, pigeons, horses, and dogs have been observed as having this disorder. The condition is caused by a recessive gene that affects the external muscles allowing the animal to remain fully aware during a fainting session. Thomsen's Disease, a variant of myotonia has been found in humans on rare occasions. Myotonia can cause muscle enlargement as well as increased strength of the muscles.

Although no one knows the exact origin of this phenomenal animal, they were first seen in the United States in the 1880's when a migrant farm worker from Nova Scotia named John Tinsley brought four of them to Marshall County, Tennessee. Because of their higher degree of muscularity, higher reproductive rates, and their tendency to be non-climbers, fainters became popular throughout the region. Although it has not been historically proven, myotonic goats may have been used by shepherds to protect their sheep from predator attacks. The fainters were mixed in with the sheep so in case of predator attacks, the goats would faint providing an easy meal for the predators thus allowing the sheep to escape unharmed.

Fainting goats are slightly smaller than the standard breeds. They are usually 17 to 25 inches tall and weigh anywhere from 50 to 175 pounds. Because of their smaller size, fainting goats are more suitable for smaller farms than their larger meat breed counterparts. The life expectancy for these animals is typically twelve to fifteen years. In recent years, fainting goats have become quite popular as more of a novelty pet. The price tag of these goats ranges from $300 to $600.

Fainting goats come in a variety of colors with white or black being the most prominent colors. They can have either long or short hair with some producing a large amount of cashmere during the winter months. The myotonic goat is considered a docile breed which makes it a wonderful pet. This breed can also be raised for meat production; however because fainting goats are listed as threatened by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, they are not used for their meat as often as the other breeds. A larger breed of the Tennessee fainter (Texas fainting goat) is now being bred. Due to their larger muscles, their fainting episodes are more spectacular.

In order to preserve this distinctive breed, the International Fainting Goat Association was created. The Association has also created a list of standards for this breed. Because, fainting goats are adored by both breeders and owners, they are highly recommended to those who wish to purchase goats.

Learn more about this author, Suzette Baker.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.