I took a friend and his family to my parents farm a couple years ago. Dad still has horses and so he just uses the electric fences left over from when we had cattle.

My friend was reaching out to 'pet' one of the curious horses on the nose - his arm was safely up high away from the fence, but unfortunately for the horse, his beer belly wasn't... just when he touched the horses nose his belly came into contact with the fence and the poor horse got the majority of the shock.

As to the "Rod Effect" - I can't say from personal experience, but my cousin would probably tell you that it's not the most pleasant experience he's ever had when we talked him into peeing on the fence.