| Farm owners are often asked, "Are you kidding?" | | | | color from varying shades of brown to rare shades |
| "Do Fainting goats really exist?" No kidding, Fainting | | | | of deep blue or icy blue. Their eye placement gives |
| goats are real! These goats are called by a variety of | | | | their head a straight-forward type of profile. The |
| names: stiff-legged goats, scare goats, nervous goats | | | | nose is wider and more rounded than other breeds, |
| and Myotonic goats. To understand their name, you | | | | not sharp or pointed. Their medium length ears may |
| should know their characteristics and background. | | | | be straight, bend downward at the middle or bend |
| Fainting goats originally came from Nova Scotia. They | | | | downward and forward shading their eyes. They |
| were first recorded in history, from Marshall County, | | | | come in varying colors, black and white or a variety |
| TN, back in the 1880s. A man named, Tinsley moved | | | | of colors with different markings and combinations of |
| to the northern part of Marshall County, Tennessee | | | | patterns. These goats have bodies with increased |
| and brought with him four goats and a cow. These | | | | muscle mass due to the myotonia gene! They have a |
| goats showed nervous tendencies. When these | | | | sturdy framework with bold face expressions. They |
| goats became startled, their leg muscles would, | | | | are, generally, hardy, disease resistant and good |
| temporarily, become rigid causing them to lose their | | | | mothers. Most wean their kids on their own. They |
| balance and fall over! | | | | milk, generously, for about four months. These goat |
| When myotonia, (stiffening of the muscles) sets in, | | | | breeds are slow to mature, so extra care needs to |
| some goats may not completely loose their balance | | | | be given when breeding these animals. They are not |
| and fall over, but their knees may buckle. When | | | | fully mature until four years old. Tennessee fainting |
| these goats are placed in situations of extreme | | | | goats can live twelve to fifteen years or more with |
| stress or fear, their epinephrine and cortisol, (fight or | | | | the proper goat care. |
| flight hormones) cause increased muscle tension | | | | Here is a fun fact about these goats. Have you ever |
| throughout the body. Myotonia, stiffening of muscles, | | | | heard of the expression, "scapegoat"? According to |
| actually helps build more muscle in these goats. The | | | | some scholars, shepherds kept fainting goats with |
| goats do not loose conscious, are not having a | | | | their flocks of sheep as insurance against predators. |
| seizure, and their central nervous system is fine. Their | | | | When wolves or other predatory animals would |
| muscles just tighten up and then relax. This startled | | | | attack a flock of sheep, the fainting goats would |
| condition only lasts for about ten to fifteen seconds, | | | | become startled and faint. The wolves or other |
| then afterwards these goats are up and running | | | | predators would focus so much on the stunned |
| again. | | | | goats, it allowed the sheep to flee and escape. |
| The fainting goats were almost extinct by the 1980s | | | | Therefore, the term "scapegoat" refers to the sheep |
| but are now thriving throughout the world. Marshall | | | | that escaped with the help of the fainting goats. |
| County, Tennessee is named the "cradle" of the | | | | Fainting goats are wonderful farm animals. These |
| Myotonic goats. These goats have lived here for | | | | farm fun goats are, mostly, very calm, proud and |
| decades. Keep in mind that just because a goat | | | | easily taught. Their sweet personalities will win your |
| faints does not mean it is a Tennessee fainting goat. | | | | heart! |
| You should understand other characteristics of | | | | Be sure to see the Myotonic Goat Registry at the |
| Tennessee fainting goats to help you with distinguish | | | | country jam, Goats, Music and More Festival, October |
| between breeds. | | | | 8th, 9th and 10th, 2010 in Lewisburg, Tennessee! |
| What other characteristics do these Tennessee | | | | Admission is free! You will find, fun, food and |
| goats have? Many of these goats have bulgy eyes | | | | entertainment for all! |
| with their eyes set wide apart. Their eyes vary in | | | | |