Fainting goat

The Myotonic Goat or Goat Fainting is a common goat breed from the United States. Because of the hereditary myotonia it expires at risk in fright mortis.

Characteristics

Myotonic Fainting Goats or are slightly smaller compared to other goat breeds. They reach a body height of 43-64 inches and a weight of 27-79 kg, in adult goats some more. The Fainting Goat has large and protruding eyes, an increased orbit and a individually different coat length. The most common colors are black and white goat, but occur all coat colors.

In addition to the well-known names such as Myotonic Fainting Goats and the animals of the breed as Tennessee Goats, Nervous Goats, Stiff -leg Goats, Wooden -leg Goats, and Tennessee Scare Goats are known. Her character is described as friendly, intelligent, easy to hold and entertaining. Fainting Goats with short stature may be reared as pets.

The goat breed is named after the Muskelerbkrankheit myotonia congenita Thomsen, in the skeletal muscles of a strong and involuntary contraction are subjected to and then can not relax immediately. If an animal is frightened, it is convulsing and falls as in a swoon -like (English to faint ) state to the ground. The goat stretched their limbs by themselves and remain motionless. This state lasts for about ten seconds. The Fainting Goat is after this attack, in which she did not lose consciousness, again perfectly normal on.

Fainting Goats are also bred for meat production, but which due to their small size, relatively rare.

Origin

The exact origin of the Fainting Goat is considered not secure. She appeared at the beginning of the 19th century in Marshall County, Tennessee. The first copies were allegedly in possession of a farmer named Jon Tinsley, who sold the animals to a Dr. H. H. Mayberry, which began to breed the race.

The Fainting Goat should have come in flocks to use in order to save the sheep from predators by the goat fell down and "sacrificed" was, while the herd was able to escape.

Fainting Goat - Festival

In Marshall County every year in October, the Fainting Goat - Festival. The festival is focused on the common goat breed and is accompanied with performances by musical groups, some shows and other activities.