By NANCY VORIS
Indiana Correspondent

FRANKLIN, Ind. — Imagine being startled by a clap of thunder, feeling your body stiffen and collapsing in a heap on the ground.

For myotonic, or fainting, goats the nervous disorder is a genetic condition called myotonia congenita. When startled, their muscles freeze for about 10 seconds, generally resulting in the animal collapsing on its side.
The breed has won over many fans in both the 4-H and open show arenas. The fifth annual open for the breed, lovingly known as the Stiff Competition and Myotonic Mayhem Show, will be June 18 at the Johnson County 4-H & Agricultural Fairgrounds in Franklin. The show draws more than 100 goats and breeders from as far as Mississippi and Texas.

Don’t let the competition name fool you. The goats are not judged on their fainting spells, but on breed characteristics set by the Myotonic Goat Registry, with standard classes for bucks, does and wethers and youth showmanship classes. An obstacle course competition is thrown in, for fun.

Ann Teeters of Trafalgar, Ind., has raised fainting goats since her boys became involved in 4-H about seven years ago. Adam, now 18, wanted to show sheep, and Eric, 20, wanted to work with goats. She kept the breed going even after Eric’s 10th year of 4-H ended.

She has learned about the interesting behavior of the goats. Anything that startles the goat or causes a fear can trigger its muscles to stiffen. Older goats have learned to spread their legs or brace themselves against a tree or structure to prevent falling, but younger goats have to learn that process the hard way.

“I know it doesn’t hurt, but it is sad when you hear the little babies holler,” Teeters said.

A couple of their goats have “stranger anxiety,” and new people make them feel stressed. At those times, and in situations such as the county fair with constant sensory distractions, they are “on alert” and less likely to faint.
“They seem to know they have to be calm and relaxed at the fair,” Teeters said.

She said even though she understands people’s natural curiosity, breeders typically do  not like to cause their goats to faint just to put on a show.
The Stiff Competition and Myotonic Mayhem Show is free and open to the public, with camping available at the fairgrounds. For more information, visit http://indianamgrshow.bravehost.com/Indiana.html