Peter, I wouldn't begin to answer your question from the standpoint of our better pickers around here who are far more qualified as teachers and players than I am.....but I will make two comments.

1.....I have short, stubby fingers and I find it's all in the way your wrist works and simply becoming used to attacking the string with your finger straighter down and more centered than others get by with.

2......When you say "short and stubby" I always think of Roy Clark......and he seems to get around the neck on a lot of instruments from wide necked to thin without any trouble.........except he should be shot for that sorry-ass piece of merchandizing/hucksterism he's currently doing with the "Roy Clark Guitar."

Spaw