Madison Man Turning Heads With Fainting Goats

by Phil McIlrath, KDLT News
August 22, 2012 9:49 PM


When it comes to owning pets you've got the usual cats and dogs, but one rural Madison man and his family are becoming pretty popular in their community for their selection of four legged critters.

"They're really easy to care for. They're not an athletic animal as well...as you can tell,"laughs Marlon Overholt"

Meet Garth, Toby and Brad.  These three mulching mowers are Marlon Overholt's trio of Tennessee fainting goats.

"These three are pretty much just pets...like dogs,"said Overholt

Marlon's had dogs before, but four years ago, he wanted to try something different.

"The kids wanted to get puppies...Puppies grow up to be dogs....we already had three dogs, so I decided to get three Tennessee fainting goats instead,"said Overholt.

Even though they are called fainting goats, they're fully conscious, it's just when they get spooked they freeze up and they're back to normal.

"When they're kids they will actually fall over and they are down from 15-20 seconds,"said Overholt

When they get older, they don't fall over anymore. Instead, the goats just freeze for a little while and then slowly gain mobility back. Overholt claims it doesn't hurt them, it actually does the opposite.

"It helps build up their muscles in their body. They claim it's good for their heart. Our kids tried to keep them healthy when they were little,"laughs Overholt.

Marlon's daughter remembers giving these "kids" a workout.

It was hilarious! I'd never seen animals do that! It's not as funny as them tipping over like when we first got them but it is still funny,"said 11-Year-Old, Makayla Overholt.

So funny infact, Marlon wants to get 20 more sometime soon. But while that figure might make some of you a little light headed too, Marlon says they're actually a pretty easy animal to care for.

"They're cleaner than a dog. Other than that they eat grass while dogs,don't,"laughs Overholt.

Trading a few canines, for a little kidding around and a front row seat to some knockout entertainment.