Myotonic Goat

Myotonic goats are also called Wooden Leg goats, "stiff leg", or Tennessee fainting goats. It is one of the few goat breeds indigenous to the U.S. There are two types of this animal. Most of those found in Tennessee and the eastern U.S. are smaller, while most Texan herds tend to be somewhat larger, probably due to selective breeding for the meat market. In fact, some ranchers have renamed them Tennessee Meat Goats.

They also have a market as pets because of their uniqueness. Myotonic means that when they are frightened or excited they "lock up" and often fall over (faint) and lie very stiff for a few seconds. It is an over-simplification, but the chemicals which are rushed to humans' muscles and joints to prepare them for "fight or flight" are withheld in the Myotonic under exciting or frightful circumstances.

No one really knows their origin, but there are two theories. The first theory is that around 1880, a man named John Tinsley arrived in Marshall County, Tennessee, with four goats, a billy and three does, which he had brought from Nova Scotia. When he moved on a year later, he sold his goats to another farmer. It is believed that all the Fainting goats in the U.S. can trace their orgins back to these four. The other theory is that there was a spontaneous mutation of a herd in Tennessee about 1885 which resulted in the recessive gene.

Myotonic goats which have been selected for meat production are heavy rumped, deep chested animals. Most are black and white but multi colors are also common. They breed aseasonally, are easy kidders, and have good milk production. The breed also has the capability of two kiddings a year. They are good mothers, so in most cases a bonding pen is unnecessary. Since they are not good climbers and jumpers, they are somewhat easier to keep than other goats.

The estimated world population of this breed is under 10,000. They have been found to be excellent crossbreed stock for the Boer goat, a meat goat imported from South Africa. The "fainting" gene is recessive, therefore it is usually not expressed in crossbred animals.