yearling who rears

Question
I have a yearling filly that was purchased in January.  Yesterday I battled with her for 1 1/2 hours-all I wanted her to do was walk on a lead rope through the pasture gate.  All winter long we did this day and night because she was kept inside but now that the weather is nice out I am keeping her outside.  She absolutely decided she wasn't going through the gate and was as defiant as I have ever seen a doesn't.  She rears when she doesn't get what she wants and has now even tried striking.  She has never ever kicked or tried to bite and other than this defense method she uses she is very sweet.  She loads in a tailer just great, stands for the furrier (but after he won a battle), ties, good for grooming...  I used a lead shank over her nose but it doesn't phase her.  I have used voice commands and she doesn't get it.  She would back up and I would back up too with her and then I would keep making her back up. I try to stay at her shoulders when leading. She acted like she didn't know how to walk with a lead rope.  She never once got away from me and she did go through the gate but the rearing needs to stop before it becomes more of a habit. She and I were dripping in sweat after this battle. Help.

Answer
Hello,
Sounds like you two had a really bad day. Remember what your girl is made of, she is an in the moment prey animal, if something looks, even slightly worrisome to her it is a life and death decision. The more we can understand where they are coming from the more we can Help them instead of try to make them do something. Here is my suggestion, next time you go to the gate or anywhere I would use only a rope halter and I would walk a good five feet ahead of her. If she gets closer I would shake the rope until she backs up. When she gets to an area she decides is worrisome I would stop and walk away, then walk back to the area as far as she can, then turn and walk away. Advance and retreat. Every time you get a little closer to the gate. Even when she says ok to going through the gate you turn and walk away. We want to show her that you are a fair and thoughtful leader, that she doesn't have to look out for scary things because you will keep her safe, she follows you. To do this we have to see things from her point of view. Even if in one day you got her near the gate but not through it, your patience will grow and her faith in you will grow. If we fight with our horses to get something we can force them to do things, but if we slow down and show them and never put a goal ahead of our relationship with them, we can have a partner. As your partner she won't rear because she will not be afraid.
Let me know how it goes for you,
Caitlin Day Huntress