Fainting Goat-FYI

Fainting goat

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A young fainting goat in the midst of a myotonic "fainting" spell.

A fainting goat is a breed of domestic goat whose muscles freeze for roughly 10 seconds when the goat is startled. Though painless, this generally results in the animal collapsing on its side. The characteristic is caused by a hereditary genetic disorder called myotonia congenita. When startled, younger goats will stiffen and fall over. Older goats learn to spread their legs or lean against something when startled, and often they continue to run about in an awkward, stiff-legged shuffle.

Slightly smaller than standard breeds of goat, fainting goats are generally 43 to 64 centimeters (17 to 25 in) tall and can weigh anywhere from 27 to 75 kilograms (50 to 165 lb). They have large, prominent eyes in high sockets, and exist in as many colors as standard breeds do. Hair can be short or long, with certain individuals producing a great deal of cashmere during colder months. There appears to be no angora strain of the fainting goat. Common coat colors are black and white, however, most possible coat colors are found in this breed. Their life expectancy is 12 to 15 years.^[1]

The origin of the fainting goat is peculiar. The goats appear to have arrived in Marshall County, Tennessee in the early 1800s, courtesy of a reclusive farm worker named Jon Tinsley who was most likely from Nova Scotia. Before he left the area, he sold his goats — three does and a buck — to Dr. H.H. Mayberry, who bred them.

Fainting goats have many other names, including Tennessee (Meat) Goats, Nervous Goats, Stiff-leg Goats, Wooden-leg Goats, and Tennessee Scare Goats. They are smaller and somewhat easier to care for and maintain than larger meat goat breeds, which makes the fainting goat desirable for smaller farms. They are also raised as pet or show animals as they can be friendly, intelligent, easy to keep, and amusing.

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Feeling Better

I really have been feeling a lot better and hope my illness is going away. I never got any answers from doctors or medical tests explaining my episodes of near passing out. For those of you who haven't read my past postings, I was sick almost everyday for about nine months feeling ill and collapsing. Everything triggered my attacks-heat, exercise, stress, even going to the bathroom.

The last test I took was an MRI which showed no abnormalities. I just was approved by my insurance company for an MRA to test the blood flow in my brain. I also have an appointment with an eye doctor this week.

Before last year I was really healthy, going to the gym, hiking and leading a really active lifestyle. This year has been a struggle, feeling weak, scared of my episodes and discouraging all around.

Now I feel pretty good. I have periods of the day where I feel odd, my neck tingles, my eyes feel a little blurry and sometimes my stomach starts this pumping that usually would have made me collapse but now seems to end if I rest.

I am going back to the gym and leading a normal life now.

I have been hearing from some readers who have fainted since they were children and it seems to actually run in some families. They are not alone. I read an article about fainting goats. Who knew?

Beth