Fainting goats are a special breed of goats that exhibit a peculiar behavior of falling over when they get startled or frightened. This breed is known as the Tennessee fainting goat, myotonic, stiff-legged, nervous, or wooden-leg goats. Fainting goats are born with a hereditary condition called myotonia congenita, which affects their skeletal muscles used for movement. When the muscles are voluntarily contracted, such as in the act of running away from a potential threat, the relaxation of the muscle can be delayed, leaving the muscles rigid and rendering the animal unable to move. This causes the goats to fall over as if they fainted upon being scared.

It is important to note that fainting goats do not actually faint, and they remain conscious the entire time. The reaction doesnt hurt, and the animal bounces back up once the stiffness goes away. The cause of fainting in goats is not related to the heart and blood vessels themselves, low blood pressure, or a disruption of neural activity in the cerebral cortex. It is related to prolonged periods of muscle contraction and paralysis related to a congenital condition.

In conclusion, fainting goats fall over due to a hereditary condition called myotonia congenita, which affects their skeletal muscles used for movement. They do not actually faint, and the reaction doesnt hurt them.