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| A MYOTONIC goat is a breed of domestic goat whose muscles freeze for roughly 10 seconds when the goat is startled. This characteristic is caused by a hereditary genentic gene called myotonia congenita. When startled, younger goats will stiffen and fall over. Though painless, 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, myotonic goats are generally 17 to 25 inches tall and can weigh anywhere from 60 to 170 pounds. Bucks can be as heavy as 200 pounds. They have large, prominent eyes in high sockets and come in a variety of colors, amber, brown, blue and blue marble. Their hair coat can be short or long, with some producing a great deal of cashmere during colder months. Common coat colors are black and white; however, most possible coat colors are found in the breed.
Myotonic goats have many other names, including fainting, Tennessee meat, Nervous, Stiff-leg , Wooden-Leg and Tennessee Scare Goats. Because they are smaller and easier to care for than the larger breeds, they are great for smaller farms. They are raised as pet or show animals because they are friendly, intelligent, easy to keep and amusing.
The goats do not truly "faint", as they never lose consciousness because of their myotonic condition. They remain fully conscious.
We love our goats and wish everyone had a chance to encounter this great breed at least once in their life!!
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