I have not actually heard of seats in front of the net, the one I'm familiar with were having challenges accommodating the animal handler on the forward Cabin crew seat because of the possible expansion of the 9G net.
there is an additional jumpseat on the flight deck (with all the requisite plumbing) to accommodate a loadmaster or similar additional body, it does get a bit tight though!
Again, the one I'm familiar with, is not being operated in the Combi-mode, but if it was, the pax seats would be behind the cargo, pax. boarding would take place through L-2
Transporting Horses is quite ok with the new type collapsible stalls on pallets.
fluf