Emerald Hollow Therapeutic Riding Center
Brewster, Massachusetts
Emerald Hollow Therapeutic Riding Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on Run Hill Road in Brewster, on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. According to its website, it offers adaptive riding for children and adults with disabilities, unmounted horsemanship, equine-assisted learning and The Equus Effect, a program for veterans and first responders.
- Adaptive (therapeutic) riding
- Unmounted horsemanship
- Equine-assisted learning (EAL)
- The Equus Effect program
- Group lessons
- Private lessons
- Children with disabilities
- Adults with disabilities
- Veterans
- First responders (police, firefighters, EMTs, nurses, dispatchers)
More about this center
About the Program
The center's therapeutic riding program, which it calls adaptive riding, is recreational riding for children and adults with disabilities. Unmounted horsemanship covers grooming, leading and basic stable skills without riding, and equine-assisted learning sessions focus on life skills such as trust and communication. The website says the program director may combine parts of all three or use just one, depending on each participant's needs.
The Equus Effect is for veterans and first responders and is open to people of all physical abilities, with no horse experience or riding required. The website says it is free to participants, funded by the Dennis Field of Honor, the Nicholas G. Xiarhos Memorial Foundation, grants and donors. See also our guide to equine therapy for veterans.
History and Staff
Emerald Hollow Farm began in 2001 as a small boarding and rescue farm for older horses, and the nonprofit riding center was established in 2015, according to its history page. Its staff page lists Nancy Sheridan as founder and executive director, and Program Director Nicole Sheridan and instructor Julie Gregory as PATH Intl. certified therapeutic riding instructors.
Volunteering
Volunteers help groom and tack horses, lead horses in lessons, encourage riders and pitch in with barn chores and property upkeep, according to the website.
Location
Emerald Hollow is at 235 Run Hill Rd., Brewster, MA 02631, on Cape Cod.
From public records, not yet reviewed by the center · Last updated Oct 2026 Suggest an edit
Common Questions
Answered from the center’s own website and public records.
How do I enroll?
Download and complete the Participant Registration Packet, including a Physician's Statement, and mail it to 235 Run Hill Road, Brewster, MA 02631. The center then calls to schedule a participant evaluation. If you can't get the forms online, call 508-896-0064.
How much do lessons cost?
Fees for adaptive riding and other lessons are not published on the website; call 508-896-0064 to ask. The Equus Effect is free for veterans and first responders, and the center says donations help keep lesson costs affordable.
Are private lessons available?
Yes. The website says lessons can be offered in a group setting, with private lessons for people who need more individual support.
How do I contact the center?
Call 508-896-0064 or email nancysheridan@emeraldhollow.org.
Location
Brewster, Massachusetts 02631
Questions to Ask When You Call
The center is the best source for these answers.
- Are you running now, and taking new riders?Start here. We couldn’t confirm a current schedule.
- Which ages and needs do you work with?Ask about experience with your rider’s specific condition.
- Is a licensed PT, OT or speech therapist involved?Therapist-led hippotherapy is usually the only kind insurance may cover.
- What does a session cost, and are there scholarships?Many nonprofit programs offer sliding scales or sponsored spots.
- Do you have a mounting ramp or lift?Important for riders who use a wheelchair or need help mounting.