Need a stronger bit for XC any ideas?

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LouB

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Ive always ridden my horse in a full cheek french link snaffle with no problems. However he became a bit of a tearaway XC on Sunday and I feel I need something a bit more.
I have most trouble in combinations, getting him 'back' for later elements.
I don't want anything too strong as the little toad can be quite stuffy and has only just got the idea of going forward into his head.
It might be a simple question but all my horses have always gone in a type of snaffle and im not sure whats the most appropriate next step up.
Many thanks
 
My instructer suggested a two ring happy mouth gag with a peanut bit in the middle for my horse when jumping/hacking.

Depends what type of horse he is. Mine is an ex racer so he needs something a little sharper just one check just to tell him no. Whereas, my instructer said a cob type may suit a hanging cheek snaffle.
 
I really like the universal bit, my horse goes really well in it and it give me a bit more brakes
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I second the Tom Thumb! (UK version, not US!) Mine is made by Shires, has link in middle with three copper rings and mouthpiece is sweet iron.

I can SJ (just!) in my loose ring lonzenge snaffle, but the Tom Thumb just gives me a little extra brakes XC (and fast hacking) without backing her off, really like it and not expensive for you to try.
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I tried xc in a pelham last night and it was fantastic. Just the right amount of breaks but didn't stop her wanting to move forwards and she was really soft in her mouth.
 
does he lean at all?

My mare used to be a cow for tanking, until I put her in a waterford - just for cross country otherwise I would be battling the whole time.
 
I have a showjumper who I ride in a snaffle on the flat, but he is very gassy to a fence and can tank off with me completely by about fence 5 in a snaffle. I tried a happy mouth gag and a waterford and for us the waterford is much better. It depends how your horse gets strong mine gets his head down and leans when he does it which tips me forward out of the saddle so I cannot anchor him. This is why the waterford works best for us, I also found the gag too much and his head carriage was harder to deal with (he naturally carries his head high and hollows). The waterford he is much happier with and his head carriage is as good as with a snaffle.

I would also review your position and saddle don't just look at bits. When I swapped to a stubben jumping saddle I found it helped me sit much quieter when he was already wound up, which means I have less in my hand to deal with.
 
I think waterfords are great as well. My boy would get his tongue over the bit of any other mouthpiece but is very happy, comfortable and controllable in his waterford.
 
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