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| Page last updated: March 28, 2008 |
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| What's a Fainting Goat? |
Although many people refer to them as 'fainting goats,' including myself, Myotonic goats don't really faint.
They have a genetic muscle condition called Myotonia Congentia. This causes the skeletal muscles,
especially in the hindquarters, to experience prolonged contraction when the goat is startled or overly
excited. The stiffness caused by the contractions can cause the goat to fall down. This is painless and the
stiffness varies from goat to goat.
The different levels of stiffness determine the degree of Myotonia. Many producers, and the Myotonic Goat
Registry, use the following guide:
1. Never observed to stiffen, but other type traits are consistent as is pedigree.
2. Very rarely stiffens, never falls.
3. Stiffens only occasionally, and rarely falls.
4. Walks normally with no swivel. The rear limbs lock up readily, the forelimbs less so, and goats with this
degree of stiffness rarely fall to the ground.
5. Animal walks relatively normally, although somewhat stiff in rear and with a swivel at the hips. Readily
stiffens when startled or stepping over a barrier.
6. Animal always moves stiffly to some degree, and readily becomes 'locked up' when startled or stepping
over a low barrier.
They have a genetic muscle condition called Myotonia Congentia. This causes the skeletal muscles,
especially in the hindquarters, to experience prolonged contraction when the goat is startled or overly
excited. The stiffness caused by the contractions can cause the goat to fall down. This is painless and the
stiffness varies from goat to goat.
The different levels of stiffness determine the degree of Myotonia. Many producers, and the Myotonic Goat
Registry, use the following guide:
1. Never observed to stiffen, but other type traits are consistent as is pedigree.
2. Very rarely stiffens, never falls.
3. Stiffens only occasionally, and rarely falls.
4. Walks normally with no swivel. The rear limbs lock up readily, the forelimbs less so, and goats with this
degree of stiffness rarely fall to the ground.
5. Animal walks relatively normally, although somewhat stiff in rear and with a swivel at the hips. Readily
stiffens when startled or stepping over a barrier.
6. Animal always moves stiffly to some degree, and readily becomes 'locked up' when startled or stepping
over a low barrier.
Just because a goat displays Myotonia characteristics, it is not necessarily a full Myotonic goat. The
head is what really reflects true purebred Myotonic lineage and sets this breed apart from others. The
head is medium length with a broad muzzle. Jaws are full and they have an even bite. The Myotonic goats
have prominent eye sockets (some refer to this as 'bug-eyed'), a break in contour between the head and
face and a relatively straight facial profile. The ears are moderately sized and held horizontally or slightly
toward the face. Horned and polled are both typical. Crossbreeding will cause reduced prominence of
eye-sockets and different shape and characteristics of the head and ears.
Myotonics come in varying sizes, anywhere form 50 to 175 pounds. The smaller goats are generally used
as pets and novelty animals while the medium and large goats are usually bred as meat goats. Coats
vary from short and smooth to long and shaggy with some Myotonics producing cashmere. The most
common colors are black and white, but Myotonics come in all colors, patterns, and markings.
head is what really reflects true purebred Myotonic lineage and sets this breed apart from others. The
head is medium length with a broad muzzle. Jaws are full and they have an even bite. The Myotonic goats
have prominent eye sockets (some refer to this as 'bug-eyed'), a break in contour between the head and
face and a relatively straight facial profile. The ears are moderately sized and held horizontally or slightly
toward the face. Horned and polled are both typical. Crossbreeding will cause reduced prominence of
eye-sockets and different shape and characteristics of the head and ears.
Myotonics come in varying sizes, anywhere form 50 to 175 pounds. The smaller goats are generally used
as pets and novelty animals while the medium and large goats are usually bred as meat goats. Coats
vary from short and smooth to long and shaggy with some Myotonics producing cashmere. The most
common colors are black and white, but Myotonics come in all colors, patterns, and markings.
- Research done at Virginia State University reveals a meat-to-bone ratio of 4:1 in Myotonic goats,
significantly higher than other breeds. - Dr. Lou Nuti of Prairie View A&M University's International Goat Research Center has proven that
a 6-10 percent greater meat yield is achieved by using a Myotonic buck on other-breed does. - Myotonics are more laid back than other breeds and they are extremely alert to what's going on
around them. - Due to their Myotonia, they cannot jump.
- They are easy keepers, very adaptable, and require little supplementary feed to maintain condition.
- Does can bear kids twice a year. Most does produce twins or triplets regularly and have plenty of
milk to raise them. - The does are extremely maternal and gentle with other does' kids.
- The bucks are rarely aggressive.
- Myotonics are generally much quieter than many other breeds of goats.
- Parasite-resistance is another trait that the breed is known for.
References:
"Do you want to be a goat producer?", by Linda Coffey;
Myotonic Goat Description, 2005, by D. Phillip Sponenberg, DVM, PhD & Barbara Roberts;
American Livestock Breeds Conservancy;
Hobby Farms Magazine - November/December 2007, "All-American Goats" by Sue Weaver
"Do you want to be a goat producer?", by Linda Coffey;
Myotonic Goat Description, 2005, by D. Phillip Sponenberg, DVM, PhD & Barbara Roberts;
American Livestock Breeds Conservancy;
Hobby Farms Magazine - November/December 2007, "All-American Goats" by Sue Weaver
In the early 1880s, John Tinsley, a farm laborer, arrived in Marshall County, Tenn., with four goats and his
'sacred cow'. J.M. Porter of Caneyspring hired Tinsley and it didn't take long for those goats to be the talk
of the hills. The goats had a habit of stiffening and sometimes falling over when startled. This buck and
three does were the first known "fainting goats". Eventually, Tinsley sold his goats to Dr. H.H. Mayberry for
$36. Around a year after selling the goats, Tinsley and his sacred cow left the area and he was never
heard from again.
Dr. Mayberry raised kids from these fainting goats and sold them to area farmers. Gradually, the goats
spread throughout the southern states where they earned many names, including nervous, stiff,
wooden-legged, and Tennessee fainting goats. Many farmers originally used these goats as predator
control by putting them in with the more expensive livestock. The Myotonic goats were, obviously, easier
to catch, so the predators would get them before the other livestock.
During the 1930s and 1940s, Myotonic goats made their way to Texas, where they evolved into bigger,
meatier goats. Over time, their numbers declined until, in 1988, they were added to the American
Livestock Breed Conservancy's Conservation Priority List and officially declared an endangered breed.
They remain on the list today with an estimated global population of less than 5,000.
Recently, Myotonics have been growing in popularity because of their versatility. Goat producers today
are using them for meat, milk, fiber, and/or hobby purposes.
'sacred cow'. J.M. Porter of Caneyspring hired Tinsley and it didn't take long for those goats to be the talk
of the hills. The goats had a habit of stiffening and sometimes falling over when startled. This buck and
three does were the first known "fainting goats". Eventually, Tinsley sold his goats to Dr. H.H. Mayberry for
$36. Around a year after selling the goats, Tinsley and his sacred cow left the area and he was never
heard from again.
Dr. Mayberry raised kids from these fainting goats and sold them to area farmers. Gradually, the goats
spread throughout the southern states where they earned many names, including nervous, stiff,
wooden-legged, and Tennessee fainting goats. Many farmers originally used these goats as predator
control by putting them in with the more expensive livestock. The Myotonic goats were, obviously, easier
to catch, so the predators would get them before the other livestock.
During the 1930s and 1940s, Myotonic goats made their way to Texas, where they evolved into bigger,
meatier goats. Over time, their numbers declined until, in 1988, they were added to the American
Livestock Breed Conservancy's Conservation Priority List and officially declared an endangered breed.
They remain on the list today with an estimated global population of less than 5,000.
Recently, Myotonics have been growing in popularity because of their versatility. Goat producers today
are using them for meat, milk, fiber, and/or hobby purposes.
| Why do they faint? |
| Breed Characteristics |
| Not You're Average Goat |
| History |
Fainting Goat Farm
