A foldable stirrup for mounting animals such as horses has a support arm for engagement with a stirrup leather and a base pivotaly coupled to the support arm for supporting a rider's foot while mounting when the stirrup is in an open configuration. The base and the support arm are inwardly foldable together to a folded configuration. A mounting assist strap configured to engage the stirrup and provide a point of securement on the animal to be mounted is provided. Methods of mounting an animal using the foldable stirrup and mounting assist strap are provided.