We have most likely all saw another human being faint or pass out, but a animal, well that is the story today. Most of the time when a animal is startled or scared the first thing they do is run off as fast as they can. This is also true for most breeds of goats as well except for one. This slightly smaller than average breed of goat actually seems to faint.
The truth is the fainting goat does not actually faint from lack of oxygen to the brain as us humans do. When startled, all of the goats muscles contract causing them to fall over and lie in a stiff position for a short period of time. Making it seem like they just fall over paralyzed.
Younger fainting goats just fall over and have no control over where they land while they are in the contracted state. Older goats seem to learn to spread their legs wide or find something to lean on. They can actually wobble around while in the fainting state. It is quite funny to see one of these animals faint. The young ones fall over and the older ones spread there legs and kind of wobble around.
It is not advised to startle these animals simply for the enjoyment of it. Although if you are around them and make a quick move or a loud noise, you will more than likely see one of them appear to faint.
The fainting goats originated in Nova Scotia, and were sold in Tennessee in the early 1800s and are still mainly in Tennessee today. They were commonly added to herds of regular goats to sacrifice them to wild animals and save the rest of the heard. When the goats would faint, the wild animals would attack them and this would give the rest of the heard time to escape to a safe place. Sad story but this method is still used by farmers today.
Fainting Goats are classified as a meat goat. It is speculated that the meat from a fainting goat actually taste great. They are not used as dairy goats for a fear that their condition can possibly be passed through their milk.
If you would like to see a real fainting goat then visit Marshall County Tennessee. The first place these funny creatures were sold here in the United States. If you visit in October you can attend the annual "Goats Music and More Festival". The festival is specifically for the fainting goats, but there are fun activities and entertainment for the entire family young and old. At the festival you can enjoy live music, arts and crafts, and many more fun and entertaining activities.
So If the Fainting goat is something you are really intrigued by then go to Tennessee and see them live and well, except for their fainting problem of course!