The goats do not truly "faint" since they remain fully conscious. However, they do fall over due to a hereditary genetic disorder called myotonia congenita.

When a fainting goat feels panic, its muscles freeze for roughly 10 seconds. Though painless, this generally results in the animal collapsing on its side. When startled, younger goats will stiffen and fall over. Older goats learn to spread their legs or lean against something when startled, and often they continue to run about in an awkward, stiff-legged shuffle.