8086 PCs may be equipped with an EMS card offering LIM memory. If you're fortunate enough to own such a card, today you can unlock XMS support by installing EXMS86.
EXMS86 is a TSR that provides XMS 2.0 extended memory services by leveraging an EMS 4.0 expanded memory source. It’s tailored for 16-bit DOS systems outfitted with EMS hardware such as the Lo-Tech EMS board, Bocaram XT, etc.
http://mateusz.fr/exms86/
Behind the link you mention that "It is a common misconception that XMS is only possible on 386+ machines." I don't think it's a common misconception, because everyone who knows something about MS-DOS memory management knows that XMS is also possible on a 286 system, if you have more than 1 MiB of main memory installed.
On the other hand, emulated EMS with emm386.exe (etc.) is not possible on a generic 286 AT compatible, like you might surmise from the name of the driver. Some specific 286 chipsets (I think NEAT) do support it with an appropriate driver. Hardware LIM compatible EMS will of course still work on any 286.
Your EXMS86 is an excellent idea. I don't own a 8086/8088 PC, let alone an EMS card for it, but if I did this driver would definitely open some new possibilities. Even if programs made for 286+ probably run dog slow on an 8086 :D