North Brookfield, MA (August 24, 2017) When it comes to fall foliage and American history, central Massachusetts should go to the top of any getaway list with the Brimfield Antiques Market, Johnny Appleseed Trail, Louisa May Alcott Orchard House and Sturbridge Village all within a short drive of an equally eq-ceptional Airbnb stay at a bucolic gem for horse lovers and holistic lifestylists, Ohana Farm of Brookfield.
Ohana Farm
The horse farm and private vacation getaway is owned and operated by Farah DeJohnette, the internationally renowned equine educator and natural horseman, and daughter of one of the most influential jazz drummers and composers of the 20th century, Jack DeJohnette, whose work as a leader and sideman has included performing with Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Sonny Rollins and, most recently at the 2017 Newport Jazz Festival, with his own group, Hudson.
Since last October, Farah said, “We’ve hosted a fascinating array of guests monthly, who stay an average of one to four nights. The Brimfield Antiques Markets are, by far, the busiest weeks and always booked solid. People come here for all kinds of occasions, from R&R and ‘digital de-toxes,’ to weddings, holidays, sporting and outdoors events, as well as for the farm’s own equine-experiential getaways.”
Ohana’s Equine Experiences have proven a popular draw with non-horse, urban guests seeking to immerse themselves with the farm’s resident ‘equine faculty members.’ Farah guides guests in learning how to ‘speak horse’ with the herd and engage in the same equine communication exercises she uses with equestrian clients to improve horse/human bonds. “Guests love to interact with the horses and get to know them as individuals, and I can customize their experiences based on their level of experience and degree of interest.”
Using Airbnb, she said, “I’ve met all kinds of interesting people and it brings people to the farm that I wouldn't normally meet so it’s a great experience for everyone.” Ohana Farm was briefly scouted as a location for the camera crew for the cable TV show, Catfish, and has an upcoming booking with ArcherFish Productions of Brooklyn, NY, makers of the award-winning PBS documentary, Herd in Iceland.
“We’ve talked about the crew possibly doing some film work here, using the horses and programs at the farm. We’ll have to see how the horses feel about drones,” she grinned.
Farah DeJohnette Horsemanship is the internationally renowned trainer’s own system of training using Liberty, Ground and In-Hand work integrated with Natural Classical principles, inspired by Nuno Oliveira, guided by the work of Bettina Drummond, and influenced by Linda Tellington and seven-time Olympian John Winnett. Ohana Farm is an holistic horsemanship facility in central Massachusetts that operates on the cornerstones of alternative therapy, organic feed and equine self-selection, herbal and oils therapies, and regular clinics in body awareness and realignment and natural hoof care. To attend a clinic, schedule an Equine Experiential Weekend or learn more see www.fdhorsemanship.com.