Tennessee Fainting Goats
The farm is also home to a delightful herd of Tennessee Fainting goats. Named for a harmless hereditary genetic disorder known as myotonia congenita, fainting goats do not truly faint, but stiffen when startled.
 

The goats appear to have arrived in Tennessee in the early 1800s, courtesy of a reclusive and unnamed farm worker who was most likely from Nova Scotia. Before he left the area, he sold his goats to Dr. H.H. Mayberry, who bred them.

Donkeys
The farm is also home to three adorable donkeys. Jasper, our baby colt, was born to Mary Alice and Dunnie in April 2007.

The donkeys live in the pastures at Fearrington alongside the Belted Galloway cows and Tennessee Fainting goats. Farmer Bob Strowd keeps the donkeys on a strict diet of grass, hay and grains. Their role at Fearrington, in addition to making visitors smile, is to help protect our precious cattle from predators.