I'm looking to find out how long a goat could hold its breath for at
sea level.  (Since I doubt there are specific facts on this - the
closest guess based on available info is fine)

Hi Dace,

What an interesting question. It triggered some unusual (and humorous,
to me) images in my mind.

I'll not attempt to answer this question. Since breathing is an
automatic reflex, it's highly unlikely a goat would make a decision to
hold its breath either at sea level or on the highest peaks of the
Rockies.

Of course, a person could restrict the animal's breathing manually,
but that wouldn't provide an accurate result since the goat couldn't
resume breathing on its own.

I did find that the average respiration rate per minute for a goat is
12-20.

Animal Pulse Rates and Temperatures
http://www.tractorsupplyco.com/learn_pages/animal_pulse.htm

For a pygmy goat the rate is higher -- 20-24 per minute

Marshview Pygmy goats
http://hometown.aol.co.uk/marshviewpygmies/page1.html 

Good luck!
revbrenda1st

Thank you for your kind reply revbrenda1st.

D.