Q for other Haflinger owners

I am just wondering what other haflinger owners experience has been w "natural" flexability - not what you can build to w an exercise routine. My little filly is the least "gifted" in this area I have ever seen. I should say I have never owned a haffie, prior. For example, all the horses I have ever owned had no trouble what-so-ever reaching around and "itching an itchy" on their bum-bum w their teeth, or scratching the back of their ear w a hind hoof at her age (3 in may). Not this little girl - I don't think she could pull it off. And, when I work on flexing her, her effort doesn't feel as "fluid" as I think a younster's should - and I don't mean from resistance, she complies to the ask quite well. She is of the "drafty" build, and is a reasonable weight for her build.

Maybe it is just her and not characteristic of the breed? Anyone? Remember, it is anonymous - no one will know you own one of these little trouble makers.

They are "compact" and very strong by nature which tends to limit natural flexibility. It can be improved upon but it will never equate a warmblood or other more limber breed. The more modern style haflingers don't have as much issue but I also believe they have a correlation in reduction of strength and carrying capacity.

That makes sense. Outside of my appyx, I am use to QH's. While QH's are power-houses (and very flexable), I have to admit - there is no doubt that pound for pound the haffie has them beat in the stregth department. I am just worried there is something a-miss.

I doubt there is any problem. I had a haflinger for 10 years and he never itched his own bum - he always got someone else in the herd to do it for him.

I hear they are just as flexable as a 2 x 4.
:)

My haffy can itch her bottom, she flexes right round no problem. I think weight can be a restricting issue as often haflingers are seen as drafty heavy types when really they are over weight.

Weight can be a factor, but build plays a large part in it as well. Even when my haffie was extremely fit and trim - he wasn't flexing around for butt scratching. He had a lot of bulk muscle combined with a shorter muscular neck - it just did not happen.

"just wasn't happening" - haha. She is no more than a 7 on the wieght scale, I don't think. But, she does have that "bunchy" muscling, short neck, low to the ground (13hh) tanky build. Oddly, her agility is otherwise great, as she has no problem climbing "ladders" (rail fencing) - all the way up. A "one way" straight muscle system. :)