Tennessee Fainting Goats have been known by many different names over the years: Myotonic, Stiff-legged, Wooden-leg, Nervous, and Scare Goats. We simply call them "Fainters." These terms all refer to a condition known as myotonia congenita--a phenomenon which causes the muscles to contract, and often causes the goat to fall over, or "faint." While this isn't a true "faint", which is a reaction based in the nervous-system; but it is, to say the least, unique! The myotonia condition results in two noticeable characteristics of the breed--isometric exercising of the goat's muscles, and a "cuteness quotient" that's hard to deny!

Less noticeable, but often more important, is the fact that these goats also exhibit parasite resiliency, excellent food-conversion rates, ("easy keepers"), and congenial personalities. They are easier to contain than most other breeds of goats, rarely standing on their hind legs or pushing on fences. Our goats tend to "talk" more than some breeds, with a kid-like voice.

The Tennessee Fainting Goat is currently listed as "Threatened" by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. Click on the link to learn more about endangered and threatened breeds, and what can be done to preserve them.

Our Fainting goats descend from some distinctly different genetic lines. We can therefore offer either small Fainters for the enthusiast who prefers a pet or a smaller-sized breeding stock, OR a larger-sized goat with a well-muscled rump. Our Fainters have horns, and are not naturally polled. We find it is often a good strategy when mixing goats of different sizes and breeds, to ensure that the smaller ones have horns. If you wish your Fainter to be hornless, he or she can be disbudded before one week of age. Please contact us early in the year for further information, or be prepared to wait until our next kidding season.

For further information on Tennessee Fainting Goats, you can also check out the links on our Home Page.