How do I get my cavalry to shoot?

I've seen the AI do it a few times and it looks like my cavalry all have guns on their saddles but I've never been able to fire one...what's the trick?

Most cavalry that have guns (dragoons) have to dismount before they can fire. Only a few (chasseur cheval or whatever the hell they're spelled) can actually fire from their mounts.

Yeah chasseurs are the only one who can fire when mounted

I think the Russians have one cavalry type that can do it, too. Mounted infantry or something like that.

mounted jeagers afaik

Historically, cavalry did not shot from horseback during this period because it was nearly impossible to reload on top of a moving horse. Some officers may have used pistols, but these would only be used once in action and reloaded later. It was more common in the earlier wars of the 16th and 17th century for cavalry to carry multiple single-shot firearms for use on horseback, such as the German Reiter.

Another reason to dumb down those friggin Chasseurs. God, I hate them. :p

Try dismounting your dragoons!