How to Register Fainting Nervous Goats

Fainting goats readily fall over when scared because of myotonia, a genetic predisposition. Also called nervous goats or myotonic goats, some fainting goats will merely stiffen their legs, while others drop to the ground. Both of these states typically last 10 to 15 seconds; the animal doesn't actually lose consciousness. You may register your fainting goat with the International Fainting Goat Association (IFGA).

Things You'll Need

  • Registration application
  • Registration instructions
  • 3 Photographs
  • Check/money order
  • Breeding memo
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Instructions

    • 1

      Go to the website of the International Fainting Goat Association. Scroll down until you find "Printable Forms" on the left-hand menu. Click on it.

    • 2

      Download and print the registration application and the registration/transfer instructions. Refer to the instructions if you have trouble understanding the application.

    • 3

      Fill out the top portion of the application, including the goat's name, which cannot exceed 35 characters in length. Include the herd prefix in the goat's name. If you use another owner's herd prefix, you must have her sign the authorization line on the bottom of the first page.

    • 4

      Write the birth date of the goat, the total number of kids and how many were bucks or does. Indicate how many of the goats are polled, horned or disbudded. "Horned" means that the goat has horns and "polled" indicates a genetically hornless goat. A "disbudded" goat had its horns removed shortly after birth.

    • 5

      Write the physical description of the goat in the appropriate fields. Info should include its color, eye color, tattoo and distinguishing physical marks.

    • 6

      Fill in the requested information about the goat's sire and dam, including the owner at the time of service (mating), color and registration number. To the right of these boxes, add the information about the breeding of the sire and dam. Write down "Premium," "Regular" or "Heritage" on the "Category" line. A "heritage" goat doesn't have parents registered with the IFGA, but does readily faint. A "premium" goat has registered parents and also readily faints. A "regular" fainting goat is one that doesn't fall over, but gets wooden legs when scared. This last category always refers to does.

    • 7

      Write your address on the bottom of the first page and sign the second page of the application.

    • 8

      Take three photographs of the fainting goat that are each 3-inches high by 3-inches wide. Take one photograph of the right side of the goat and one of the left side. Take another photograph of a "heritage" or "premium" goat that has fainted. To register a "regular" goat, take the third picture of it in its stiff-legged position.

    • 9

      Write a check or money order payable to the IFGA for the appropriate fee. The fee varies, depending on whether you're an IFGA member, requesting a herd-name registration or requesting rush service. Download the complete fee table on the IFGA's website under "Printable Forms."

    • 10

      Mail the application and payment to the IFGA at 1039 State Route 168, Darlington, PA 16115.