The Myotonic Herd
Our Myotonic (Fainting) Herd
Myotonic goats are prized as pets for their mild disposition and hilarious fainting. They are also excellent meat goats. Myotonic goats have a recessive condition known as myotonia congenita which causes their muscles to sieze. This usually happens when they are startled and is more pronounced in some goats than in others. It is not contagious and seems to cause the goats no harm or even embarrassment. The breed appears to have originated in Tennessee (hence the name Tennessee Fainters) and is a heritage breed listed by the Livestock Conservancy. We register our herd with the Myotonic Goat Registry, Miniature Silky Fainting Goat Association, or the International Fainting Goat Association.
The Bucks
Cowboy
2014-2022
Cowboy was born in 2014 and is registered with the Myotonic Goat Registry and is from registered myotonic stock going back 3 generations.
Awe Shucks
Awe Shucks (“Brenden”) is a buck registered with the Miniature Silky Fainting Goat Association. The big guy is a little shy but once he warms up to you he loves to play.
Sky
Sky, born in 2018, is a premium registered buck with the International Fainting Goat Registry. His spectacular long horns and blue eyes make him stand out in the crowd despite his mild disposition. Sky’s pedigree is complete back to 4 generations.
The Does
April Fools "Delta"
April Fools was born in 2018 and is registered with the Myotonic Goat Registry. She has a distinct deformity on her right neck which may have been an injury in youth. Her neck, however, hasn’t stoped her from producing beautiful kids and she is an excellent mother.
Lilly
Lilly is an unregistered Myotonic born in April of 2020. She kidded for the first time in 2022 and produced a gorgeous black and white singleton buckling (Keith). Lilly is extremely shy but curious.
Gloria
Gloria is an unregistered myotonic (fainting) doe born in 2020.
Echo
Echo was born in 2018 and is registered with the Myotonic Goat Registry with a pedigree going back 4 generations. She is a strong female in the herd and an excellent mother.
Meet Timberside Farm Echo
Glory
Glory is a black Certified Premium fainter (IFGA) born in February 2021. Her long hair, strong myotonia, and small stature suggest she will produce excellent minitaure silkies when bred to the right buck. Glory is exceptionally shy likes to stay out of the fray…unless cookies are involved.
Lizzy
Gypsy Sky Ranch Lizzy (CP-25742-H) is a certified premium registered doe with the International Fainting Goat Association. She was born in February of 2021 and will qualify as a miniature when she reaches three years old.
Baily
Gypsy Sky Ranch Baily (CP-25741-H) is the twin sister of Lizzy and is also a certified premium doe with the International Fainting Goat Association. Like her sister, she will easily qualify for miniature status.
Jubilee
Wild Haven Farm Jubilee was the first kid born to our Farm in December 2021. She is the doeling of April Fools (MGR 7359) and Awesucks (MSFGA 6904).
Jonny
Wild Haven Jonny was born in 2022 from Cowboy and Echo.
Myotonic FAQ
The Myotonic breed is as facinating as it is entertaining. Have a question not answered here? Contact us!
Do they really faint?
No. They have a condition called myotonia congenita which causes their leg muscles to stiffen if they are startled. Each goat has a varying degree of myotonia. Some simply drag their back legs a little while others do actually fall over. Myotonia congenita is not contagious and the condition does not cause the animal any harm.
Does the fainting hurt the goat?
No. The fainting does not harm the goat. That said, causing any animal distress by scaring it isn’t humane. The condition is hilarious and, in normal interactions with the goats you will surely get to see fainting happen without unnecessary cruel treatment.
Can goats be kept as pets?
Absolutely! Check with your local ordinances. Females or neutered males (wethers) are usually preferred as pets because they are more docile and lack some of the odd characteristics of the male. Goats have been domesticated for over 10,000 years and bond very well with humans. They are very much like a dog in the way they communicate. Keeping goats is a little different than a dog with different needs for fencing, food, and companionship. Goats are herd animals and should always be kept with at least one other goat.
Are fainters better than other breeds?
Each breed is different and is kept for specific characteristics. Fainters make great meat goats as well as great pets. Wild Haven Farm breeds some of our myotonic goats specifically for their long silky hair and small stature (miniature silkies).
What are Miniature Silky Fainters?
Wild Haven Farm is a breeder of a special sub group within the fainting breed. These Miniature Silky Fainters are a new breed which was just recognized in the 1990’s. They are distinguished by their long straight, flowing coats. Goats fitting the standard can be registered with the Miniature Silky Fainting Goat Association.
Do goats need to be registered?
No, registration is optional. Most pet owners and hoby farm goat owners would probably have no need to register their goats. As a breeder, Wild Haven Farm registers our goats to keep a record of their pedigree so that you know that goats obtained from us are of the best lineage. Goats coming from Wild Haven Farm will have a special Scapies ear tag. This tag is different from any registration and cannot be removed. Scrapies tags are an important tool for protecting the health of goats worldwide.
