Consignor Bio

Nichols, Max

Max Nichols is a 5th generation farmer and houndsman from Arizona. His family moved to Arizona over 100 years ago and since then, have bred, raised, and trained quarter horses and thoroughbreds that went back to Northern Dancer, Dash for Cash, and Driftwood. When his grandfather started hunting lions with hounds in the 60’s, he decided to buy a mule to ride through the mountains instead of his horses. Max grew up on the back of a mule following his father and their hounds through some of the roughest country Arizona has to offer. As he got older, he grew to understand how special and versatile mules really were.
Max left home with his mule and hounds to work on a cattle ranch in his early 20’s. The first time he loaded up his mule to go work cattle, the other cowboys gave him grief for riding a “half a horse”, cracking jokes and laughing at those long ears. Max paid no mind because those same guys loaded up “spare” horses for the day. As the day went on Max would have to stop his mule to wait for the other guys to swap out their horses. Needless to say by the end of the day nobody was cracking any jokes about his mule.
As time went on, Max was trying to figure out what he wanted to do in life. It’s safe to say the writing was on the wall. His father had mentioned to him that he should start selling a few mules here and there. After a few sales, the feedback from the buyers was incredible. Fast forward to now, the mules he sells are not only exposed to hunting and week long pack trips, but also go out and put in the work on his partners ranch in Wikieup gathering, sorting, and dragging calves to the fire.
Max and his partner Brook have been working hand in hand to produce exceptional saddle mules. They love what they do and love their mules even more. They look forward to seeing everyone and meeting new faces!