

Their shape is often subject to guidelines of what can easily be used and handled. There are various designs of electric cattle prods. Some higher-voltage prods can interfere with radio and CB radio reception when activated. The electric cattle prod is designed to inflict a painful shock to cattle, and thus "prod" them along the pain stimulates movement. Anything that touches the electric current receives a high- voltage low- current shock, not strong enough to kill a human or a large animal such as a cow or sheep from short-term exposure, but strong enough to cause significant pain. The electric current at the shock end runs through two metal electrodes.


A hotshot is typically cylindrical, and can carry an open electric current at the "shock end" when activated.
